Dawgs win fourth in a row

Right-hander Anthony Balderas allowed just one run in seven innings to lead the Okotoks Dawgs to a 10-2 win over the Edmonton Prospects on Sunday. Photo Credit" Amanda Fewer

Sunday July 9, 2017

Dawgs win four in a row

By Hunter Julius

OKOTOKS, AB – The Okotoks Dawgs (21-10) won their fourth game in a row as they defeated the Edmonton Prospects (17-13) 10-2 on the back of an explosive six-run sixth inning on Sunday.

Zach Hanna (University of Missouri) started the scoring with a bang, sending a pitch over the right field fence for his first home run of the year to make it a 1-0 ballgame.

No score was recorded until the fourth inning, with the Prospects scoring the first of their two runs to tie the game at one. Matt Lloyd (University of Indiana) started the home half of the inning with a single, as Kody Funderburk (Dallas Baptist University) doubled to left field to put runners on second and third. A wild pitch scored Lloyd and gave the Dawgs the lead back.

Lloyd was back at it to kick start the sixth inning with a lead-off double to right field. A long single by Funderburk was enough to score Lloyd, making it 3-1. Cameron Campbell (University of Oregon) reached on a throwing error by the shortstop, giving Okotoks runners on first and second. The next at bat saw Justin king (Indian Hills CC) take a walk that involved two wild pitches, one of which scored Funderburk, and put runners on first and third. Joel Brophy (Niagara University) worked out a walk to load the bases that led to an RBI single by Aderly Perez (University of Arkansas- Pine Bluff) to score King. Eddie Sanchez (University of Central Arkansas) smashed a 0-1 pitch out to centre field and reached third on a fielding error that cleared the bases, giving the Dawgs an 8-1 lead.

Okotoks responded once again in the next inning with Funderburk and Hanna hitting back-to-back singles to put runners on first and second. King and Brophy were then hit by pitches which scored Funderburk and Hanna advanced home on a sac fly to centre field from Perez, giving the Dawgs their 10-1 edge.

The Prospects tried to stage a comeback, scoring one run in the ninth, but were unable to muster anything else.

The Dawgs were led by Anthony Balderas (Lewis-Clark State College) who picked up his third win while tossing seven innings. Balderas allowed five hits, one run, one walk and struck out six. Brennen Lauffenburger came in to pitch the eighth inning, allowing no hits or runs and struck out one. Zack Demchenko (Northeastern Junior College) finished the game off, allowing three hits, one run and striking out one as well.

The Dawgs are back in action on July 12, as they travel to Brooks to face the Bombers again.

Players to Note:

Z.Hanna- 2-5, 1 HR

E. Sanchez- 3-5, 1 2B, 2 RBI

M.Lloyd- 3-5, 2 2B, 2 R

K.Funderburk- 3-5, 1 2B, 1RBI, 2 R

Of Record:

(W) Anthony Balderas (3-1)
(L) Michael Gahan (0-2)