Bulldogs lose doubleheader

Mike Eckels/Special to the Eagle Observer
Bulldog Layton Sutherland reaches out and tags a Rocket runner at third base for the first out of the fourth inning in the Decatur-Scranton varsity baseball contest at Edmiston Ball Field on Friday night in Decatur. The Bulldogs lost the doubleheader to the Rockets, 14-0, in game one and 9-1 in game two.
Mike Eckels/Special to the Eagle Observer Bulldog Layton Sutherland reaches out and tags a Rocket runner at third base for the first out of the fourth inning in the Decatur-Scranton varsity baseball contest at Edmiston Ball Field on Friday night in Decatur. The Bulldogs lost the doubleheader to the Rockets, 14-0, in game one and 9-1 in game two.

DECATUR -- The Decatur Bulldogs spent most of Friday afternoon preparing Edmiston Baseball Field in Decatur for a doubleheader with the Scranton Rockets. By 4:30 p.m., the field was ready, and the conference contest was in full swing.

In game one, a nine-run series in the first inning gave the Rockets a commanding lead, with the Bulldogs making multiple errors in the field. Decatur finally managed to make three outs and have its chance at bat. Three straight strikeouts at the plate ended the first inning with the Rockets in the lead, 9-0.

A conference at home plate between Decatur coach Chris Frazier, the Rocket coach, and two umpires resulted in a decision to play three-out or three-run innings, which allowed the Bulldogs more chances at bat.

Game one went to four innings, with the Rockets taking a 15-0 conference win over the Bulldogs. In game two, the Bulldogs were able to get one run in the third inning, but by the end of the third, the game was called, giving the Rockets a sweep of the doubleheader, 9-1, and the conference win.