Melton leads Dawgs to win over Bulls

Oregon State prospect Jacob Melton’s two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning propelled the Okotoks Dawgs’ to a 5-3 win over the Lethbridge Bulls on Monday. Photo: Baseball Northwest

July 29, 2019

By Dan Khavkin

Okotoks Dawgs

The Okotoks Dawgs recovered from their 3-1 loss on Sunday afternoon to beat the Lethbridge Bulls 5-3 on Monday night.

With the victory, the Dawgs improved to 5-2 record against the Bulls this season. The two clubs will play their final regular season game against each other on Thursday.

Coming off his seven-inning, complete-game shutout against the Melville Millionaires on July 21, UBC hurler Jared Spearing allowed two runs to the Bulls in the first inning, before he settled in to hurl six strong frames for the Dawgs.

The Bulls scored in the opening inning after a Dawgs’ error put runners in scoring position and Bulls DH Ashton Roy hit a two-run single to give his club an early 2-0 lead.

The Dawgs would not get on the board until the fourth when they scored three runs. Their offence was jumpstarted by the University of Nebraska freshman Shay Schanaman who doubled bringing home two Dawgs’ runs. Liam Rihela then added an RBI single to lift the Dawgs into their first lead of the game.

The Bulls would even the match 3-3 in the eighth inning, but it could’ve been much worse. The Dawgs brought in Academy of Art relief pitcher Galen Manhard with the bases loaded and nobody out and he only allowed one run.

In the bottom half of the same inning, Oregon State prospect Jacob Melton belted a two-run home run to restore the Dawgs’ lead and make it 5-3.

Manhard then tossed a 1-2-3 ninth inning to secure the Dawgs the win.

The Dawgs will now host the Brooks Bombers on Tuesday night in Seaman Stadium with the first pitch set for 7:05 p.m.