With three region games still to play, the ECI baseball team has secured the region championship for the second consecutive year.
The Bulldogs are currently 9-0 in region play and won the region last week by sweeping Portal in their 3-game series against the Panthers.
The Bulldogs defeated the Panthers in Portal 14-4 last Monday April 1st, giving up their first runs to a region opponent this season.
The double header was scheduled to be played at home for ECI. But the two games had to be moved to Portal because the wet weather pond, Joe Harvey Field, was unplayable due to rain on Tuesday.
ECI won both games of the double header taking the first one 10-0 and ending with a 11-1 win in the nightcap.
During the 3-game series, the Bulldog pitching staff allowed only 8 hits, giving up just 5 runs, while striking out 30 Panther batters.
Gabe Lee started the game on Monday, pitching the first 3 innings, giving up 3 hits, striking out five. Aden McQuaig pitched the fourth and fifth innings allowing just 2 hits. Davis Johnson closed the game in the sixth giving up no hits with 3 strikeouts.
Charlie Rehberg pitched the opening game of the double header on Wednesday, throwing another gem, allowing just 3 hits while striking out 14 batters for a 10-0 shutout.
James Parker went the distance in the 11-1 win in the second game of the night. Parker gave up just one hit, striking out 8 Panthers.
Sandwiched in between the Portal games, the Bulldogs traveled to Metter for a make-up game. ECI shut out Metter in the first two games a couple weeks ago. The Tigers returned the favor, shutting out the Bulldog 2-0. Hits were even with 6 for ECI and 7 for Metter, but the Bulldogs couldn’t get that timely hit to push a run across.
Andrew Chalkley started the game for the Bulldogs, pitching 5 1/3 innings, allowing 7 hits with 3 strikeouts. Aden McQuaig closed the game with zeros across the board.
Leading hitters for the 4 games played last week were Charlie Rehberg, Ab Marsh, Jackson Kennedy, (two doubles) and Kayon Thompson all picking up 5 hits.
Tuff Boddiford ended the week with 5 hits, 3 triples and two doubles. Gabe Lee had two doubles and Andrew Chalkley had 3 hits each. Aden McQuaig and Davis Johnson ended the week with two hits.
The Bulldogs have 3-games against Montgomery Co. this week to end region play. Monday, ECI hosted the Eagles in the first game. Today they are in Mt. Vernon for a double header to end the series.
The Bulldogs are hoping to get back the services of their starting shortstop and leading hitter by the time playoffs begin. Henry was injured last week and has been on the mend for the last two weeks.
ECI still has two non-region games scheduled for next week. Wednesday, April 17, they will host Savannah Christian and will end the regular season on Thursday, April 18 in Jefferson Co. playing against the Warriors.
