A Pair of NCC Wins Propel Bulldogs

The Hampton-Dumont-CAL Bulldog softball team is climbing in the North Central Conference standings as the team begins to mature on the field as a whole.  The young athletic Bulldogs look to continue to climb the conference standings behind speed and defense.  Coach Enslin is excited about the buy in of the young team and is happy to see the progress of the girls and marks in the win column.

Monday night would be a rivalry game with the Iowa Falls-Alden Cadets.  The Cadets would score 3 runs in the bottom of the first to take the early lead, but the Bulldogs would rally in third inning to tie the game at 3.  Each team would add a run in the fifth to remain tied, but the Bulldogs would break out in the seventh, scoring what would ultimately be the winning runs and claim a 6-4 victory.  Malie Ott would pitch a complete game, giving up no earned runs.  Ott would strike out 3 Cadet hitters.  Trinity Swart would have 2 hits, 1 being a double.  

Tuesday would see the Bulldogs travel to Osage for a marathon of a game.  In the fourth inning a storm would pop up and dump rain on the field, but after about an hour play would resume.  The Bulldogs would lose the game 15-5 in 5 innings of play.  Ott would strike out 5 Green Devil hitters.  Charlee Morton would hit a 2 run home run and go 2 for 3 from the plate.  Aspen Harlan would also go 2 for 3 from the plate and drive in a run.

Wednesday would see the Bulldogs host the 7th ranked St. Edmond Gaels.  The Gaels would jump on the bats early and would mercy run the Bulldogs in three innings.  Madison Lindaman, Emma Ott, and Mallory Reiken would manage to get hits against the Gaels.

Friday would see the Bulldogs travel to Clear Lake for a battle with the Lions.  The Lions would score 2 runs in the first inning, but the Bulldogs would answer with 5 runs in the top of the second.  The Lions would tie the game up in the fifth, but the Bulldogs would add 2 more to take a 7-5 lead.  In the seventh inning the Lions would threaten, but Swart would pitch the final inning and get the Bulldogs the win.  Teaghan Bird and Madison Lindaman would each go 2 for 4 from the plate.  Ott would pitch 6 innings striking out 1 Lion hitter and Swart would come in to close the game and also strike out 1 Lion hitter.  The win would push the Bulldog record to 3-8 and 2-3 in the NCC.

The Bulldogs return to action Monday, hosting the Webster City Lynx, then hit the road for the rest of the week traveling to Janesville on Tuesday, Humboldt on Wednesday and Grundy Center on Thursday.