The ECI softball Bulldogs swept their opponents last week outscoring the 3 teams 36-8 to remain undefeated in region play. The Bulldogs are currently 9-1 with the only blemish a one run loss to Vidalia the second game of the season.
Coach Wimberly had this to say about his team’s performance last week. “The girls were all business this week. Two great region opponents with hard throwers and the team from top to bottom embraced the challenge. It was a complete team effort. From the starters to those coming off the bench, from the ones charting in the dugout, everyone was locked in and doing their job.”
Wednesday, September 1 the Bulldogs hosted Portal to begin the week giving the Panthers their first region loss, 10-0. ECI dominated the Panthers scoring three runs in the first inning to take an early lead.
ECI sent 10 batters to the plate in the bottom of the third inning scoring 7 more runs highlighted by Charla Clifton’s three run shot over the centerfield fence.
Clifton and her defense didn’t allow a Panther to reach base until the fifth inning. The Junior pitcher allowed one hit while striking out 9 batters during the 5 inning game.
Thursday the team traveled to Claxton to take on the Tigers. The Bulldogs left the Fruitcake Capital with a 17-4 region win.
The Bulldogs started the scoring fest in the first posting one run to lead 1-0. They made up for lost time in the second inning scoring 9 more runs to take a 10-0 lead after two innings.
The closed the game out in the third and fourth innings with 7 more Bulldogs crossing the plate to make score 17-4.
Coach Frank Wimberly emptied his bench sending 17 different batters to the plate in the game pounding out 12 hits. Leading the Bulldogs at the plate getting 2 hits each were Sullee Boddiford, Ally Taylor, and Jarei Oglesby. Picking up the other hits were Kelsey Harper, Semya Williams, Kayanna Thompson, Jayna Kearson, Charla Clifton and Kinley Grimes.
Boddiford and Thompson pitched two inning each scattering 5 hits while striking out 3 Tigers.
Saturday the Dawgs had a home make-up game against Bryan Co. The Bulldogs had won 5 consecutive region titles before the Indians knocked them off the perch in 2020.
ECI took a big step to start a new streak defeating Byran 9-4.
Clifton and the Bulldog defense allowed just 2 Indians to reach base for the first 5 innings.
Clifton led off the bottom of the first inning with a walk. Shayla Stephenson plated Clifton with a double two batters later as the Bulldogs took a 1-0 first inning lead.
ECI added one more run in the second on an Ally Taylor hit and two Indian errors for a 2-0 Bulldog lead.
ECI extended their lead in the fourth inning with two more runs. Kaylan Lamb led off with a single and advanced to second on a sac bunt by Macy Cannady. Kayanna Thompson followed up with a single as Canady scored on an error on the play. Jayna Kearson doubled in Thompson and the Bulldogs led 4-0 after 4 innings.
The bottom of the fifth inning had the Bulldogs scoring 3 runs. The only hit of the inning was by Thompson with 3 ECI batters reaching on an error as the Bulldogs took a commanding 7-0 lead against the Indians.
The Indians got the home team nervous in the top of the sixth inning putting 4 runs on the board with the ECI lead cut to 7-4.
ECI added some breathing room in the bottom of the inning added two more runs to extend the lead to 9-4.
The Indians went 3 up 3 down in the top of the seventh inning as the Bulldogs defeated the reigning region champions 9-4.
The Lady Dawgs have a marathon week upcoming. Yesterday, Tuesday, they took the long ride to Darien to take on McIntosh Co. Today they are in Swainsboro playing a make-up game with the Tigers. Thursday, they host Metter and Saturday will face Jeff Davis in a tournament in Hazlehurst.
