Gainesville Bulldogs rally to four straight wins
Times photo/Jenny Yarger Gainesville freshman pitcher Parker Gilmore delivers a pitch during the Bulldogs’ 12-9 victory over Sparta Friday evening. Backing him up are second baseman Carson Nielson, left, and right fielder Luke Hogan.
The Gainesville Bulldogs are building momentum early in the baseball season, putting together four straight victories last week, including a pair of comeback wins.
Gainesville opened the week Sept. 8 with a dramatic 12-9 comeback victory over Sparta. The Bulldogs fell behind 8-2 before rallying to take control and secure the win.
The Bulldogs followed that performance with one of their strongest pitching efforts of the season Sept. 10, shutting out Hartville 6-0. Keegan Crouse went the distance for Gainesville, tossing a complete-game shutout while striking out nine.
Gainesville continued its winning ways Sept. 11 against Lighthouse Christian, overcoming multiple deficits on the way to a 14-8 victory.
The Bulldogs closed the stretch Sept. 14 with another close win, edging Norwood 8-7.
Several Gainesville players were key contributors during the four-game winning streak. Crouse went 7-for-12 with three doubles and eight RBIs, while Kyle Winrod also collected seven hits in 12 at-bats, drove in five runs and scored four times.
Carson Nielsen went 5-for-13 with two doubles and three runs scored. Kolby Anderson was 6-for-16 with two doubles, a triple and eight runs scored.
On the mound, Aden Gaulding logged 10 innings and allowed just three earned runs while striking out 21 batters. Crouse contributed seven innings without allowing an earned run and recorded nine strikeouts, while Anderson pitched five innings, giving up two earned runs and striking out nine.
Gainesville coach Blake Hobbs said he has been impressed with the team’s early-season performance.
“The boys are showing a lot of upside,” Hobbs said. “I’m very impressed with how we are playing at the moment. We clean up a couple things and we will be in a very good spot.”
With four consecutive wins and strong contributions both at the plate and on the mound, the Bulldogs appear to be finding their stride as the season progresses.
Gainesville hosted Seymour Tuesday; results were unavailable at presstime. After a week off, the Bulldogs return home Thursday, Sept. 24, to host Licking and Friday, Sept. 25, to take on Bakersfield.