A Busy Week for Bulldog Softball is a Winning Week

The Hampton-Dumont-CAL softball team has been growing all season and is looking to play their best softball at the end of the season.  The Bulldog softball team also received their postseason pairing and will host Garner-Hayfield/Ventura on July 6th.  Coach Enslin has been making some position moves and adjustments to the line-up to prepare for the postseason.  

The Bulldogs would start off the week strong with a comeback victory over the Cowgirls of CGD.  The Cowgirls would score 2 runs in the top of the first, but the Bulldogs would answer with a run in 1st and 2nd to tie the game.  The Cowgirls would push 2 more runs across in the 6th, but the Bulldogs would again answer with 3 runs to earn a 5-4 victory.  Malie Ott would pitch the full game striking out 6.  Teaghan Bird would have a hit, a run, an RBI, and a steal for the Bulldogs.

Tuesday would be a matchup with the West Fork Warhawks.  The Warhawks would jump on the bats right away taking a 9-0 lead into the 3rd inning.  The Bulldogs would answer with 4 runs in the bottom of the third, but the Warhawks would push across a couple more runs and earn a 15-4 victory in 6 innings.  Ott would pitch 5 innings and strike out 3.  Bird would have 2 more hits and score a run to lead the Bulldogs.

Wednesday, Hampton-Dumont-CAL would travel to Algona.  H-D-CAL would jump out to an early lead scoring 9 runs in the first 2 innings.  The lead would hold up as the Bulldogs would add another run in the 4th.  In the bottom of the 7th Algona would make it interesting scoring 3 runs.  The Bulldogs would earn a tough NCC victory 10-9.  Ott would pitch the complete game, striking out 2.  Bird and Aspen Harlan would each have 2 hits for the Bulldogs.  Mallory Rieken would drive in 3 runs.  

Thursday would be a non-conference match-up with the St. Ansgar Saints.  The Saints would score early and then late.  They would ultimately earn an 11-5 victory over the Bulldogs.  Ott and Swart would split pitching duties.  Harlan would lead the Bulldogs with 2 hits and 2 RBIs.  

Friday would be an NCC matchup with rival Iowa Falls-Alden.  Each team would score a run early in the game, but the Bulldogs would bust the game open scoring 3 runs in the bottom of the sixth.  The Cadets would rally with a 2 run home run in the top of the seventh, but the Bulldogs would shut the door and earn a 4-3 victory.  Madison Lindaman would go 4 for 4 with a double and an RBI.  The victory would push the Bulldogs record to 7-13 overall and 5-6 in the NCC.  

The Bulldogs return to the diamond for their final 3 NCC games.  Monday against St. Edmonds, Wednesday at home against Clear Lake, and Friday at Webster City.  The Bulldogs will then shift their focus for their regional game against Garner-Hayfield/Ventura.