Most people think of Memorial Day weekend as a time to rest, a time to get find great deals shopping, a weekend to spend with family and friends or a time to reflect on the sacrifices our service men and women have made for us.  For the 10U Baldwin Bulldogs travel baseball team it’s a great weekend to play a baseball game … or two … in one day  The Baldwin Bulldogs came into the first game, against Carrick, with a 2-2 record.  Coaches, players and fans wanted to get that record back above .500.  Doing so would be no easy task as Baldwin would be playing a second game later at Brentwood.  Therefore, Baldwin needed solid pitching to save arms for their second game.                  The game at Prospect Park began with a weird twist …  the Bulldogs were the “away team” thanks to Mother Nature wreaking havoc on Carrick’s Volunteer’s Field.  Therefore, the Bulldogs went to bat first and with one out Dylan was hit by a pitch.  Dylan got his revenge on the pitcher with two quick stolen bases.  The number three hitter Nathan drew a walk to put runners on first and third with one out.  Carrick got a big strike out to get the second out but Dacian promptly smacking a RBI single to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 first inning lead.

                Coach Thompson turned to Mikey to start the game.  Mikey battled in the inning and struck out two but some defensive lapses hurt and Carrick battled for a five spot to take an early 5-1 lead. 

                The Bulldogs weren’t able to score in the second despite some well hit balls. Mikey came out to pitch the second and after a leadoff walk struck out two and induced a pop out to short to get out of the inning with a 6-1 deficit. 

                The top of the third brought some much needed offensive fire power.  A leadoff single by Gavin quickly turned to a runner at third with no outs thanks to two stolen bases.  A one out double by Dylan got the scoring started by knocking in Gavin.  A single by Nathan brought in the teams second run of the inning making it 6-3 Carrick.  A Luke T walk brought James up with two outs and runners on base.  James promptly ripped a two run single cutting that deficit to 6-5.

                Knowing his team needed an innings eater Mikey went to work again in the bottom of the third.  A leadoff single was quickly erased when right fielder Joey gunned the base runner trying to stretch it into a double.  If that wasn’t enough defense Gavin decided he’d add some more highlight real plays with a fine catch in left field.   Coaches said “plays like that in the field is what wins games.  Instead of two singles and two men on the bases are clear and there are two outs.  Those are huge plays and plays that are necessary to win games.  Those are great plays by Joey and Gavin.”  Mikey calmly struck out the last batter to finish a stellar start.

                The Bulldogs clearly enjoyed their offensive assault in the third so they decided to do it again in the fourth.  Mikey lead off with a walk and two steals.  Devan knocked him in with a one out single.  Luke B walked.  Dylan followed with an RBI single.  Nathan then stroked a two run single giving the Bulldogs a 9-6 lead.

                The Bulldogs turned to “Big Red” Nathan to keep that lead.  Nathan gave up a leadoff walk but three consecutive outs shut the inning down with that lead exactly where they wanted it.  The defense continued with a fine catch by third baseman Luke B.  A pop up by the Carrick batters may or may not have had fans running in fear of their lives in the bleachers but Luke didn’t seem scared and he dashed around Carrick’s third base coach and finishing with a fine catch in foul territory.  Bulldogs’ shortstop Dylan could be heard excitedly yelling “nice catch Luke!” showing that these Bulldogs players have the passion and excitement coaches want to see in their team.  Coaches said “the work that Nathan did that inning was impressive.  He attacked the middle of the Carrick order and quickly put them down.  Once again the defense stepped up and Luke made a fine catch which we all know their pitchers love!”

                The Bulldogs tried to build on their lead in the fifth with a little two out magic.  With two outs Landon drew a walk and stole two bases.  Mikey drew a walk to put runners on the corner but the Carrick pitcher worked his way out of the inning.

                Carrick was able to strike for two runs in the fifth trimming the Bulldog’s lead to 9-8.   Nathan ended the inning with his second strike out of the inning.

                Baldwin wanted to get an insurance run or five and Devan and Gavin worked consecutive walks to start the inning.  A Luke B single loaded the bases with Bulldogs.  RBI monster Nathan provided that insurance run with a ground out to second scoring a run and bringing his RBI total for the day to five!

                Nathan took the hill in the sixth inning for his third inning of work and ended a Carrick threat with a double play.  A fine catch on the mound and throw to James at first ended the threat with Carrick scoring only one run so the Bulldogs kept their 1 one run lead.

                Once again looking to add to their one run lead the Bulldogs patiently loaded the bases with three one out walks to load ‘em up.  Carrick’s pitcher stood strong and struck out the next two batters to shut the inning down.

                The Bulldogs turned to Luke T to close things down.  The winner of the fastest pitcher in the 10U group threw with confidence but the Carrick batters didn’t chase any borderline pitches and worked three walks.  Coach Thompson turned to Dylan in an almost impossible situation.  Dylan would be facing the top of the Carrick order with a one run lead.  What he did thrilled the Bulldogs fans as they watch as he struck out the top of the order to shut the door and preserve the victory!

                Coaches said “This team doesn’t quit, they have each other’s backs, they cheer each other on.  It’s been a fun year so far and we plan on building on this excitement.  It’s a great time to be a Bulldog!”   The Bulldogs departed for their second game of the day in Brentwood with coaches, players and fans buzzing after their hard fought 10-9 win over Carrick.