In the first week, the Bulldogs held off Cranberry for a 2-1 victory as the teams combined for 3 hits.  The game ended on a Dustin Hirsch concussion that Gio Suprano turned into an out-at-home game winning defensive web-gem.  Brad Clark, the pitcher for Cranberry held the Bulldogs to two hits, and collected Cranberry' s only hit off Bulldog starter Dante Yobbi.  RJ Elbin closed for the Bulldogs and his fastball was clocked at 68 on the gun.

Saturday, the Dawgs hosted the South Oakland Ducks and allowed three runs in the first inning.  The Bulldogs started the game with only 8 players, and later allowed a fourth unearned run on two errors and a balk behind phenom Dante Yobbi.  Gio Suprano had two hits, two runs, and an RBI to lead the Bulldogs offensively.  Dustin Hirsch earned honors as the most offensive player in the dugout, and Joe Graff scored the tying run run on a fielders choice in the bottom of the 7th.  The game ended in a tie after 8 innings of a steady drizzle.

The 18+ Bulldogs will face off against the Ducks against Wednesday before hosting the Black Sox Saturday morning.  The 28+ Bulldogs open their season at Hempfield on Sunday.

Although going 0-6 in the previous weeks, the Bulldogs still hung tough with the top teams in the league, losing several one run games.  They finally turned things around in the final week, knocking off the Steel City Prowlers by scores of 14-0 and 7-0.

Adam Chambers went the distance in the first game, striking out 8 and only giving up 3 hits.  Vinny Gala led the offense with 2 doubles and a homerun.  Chambers, Brian Strom, and Dan Miceli all chipped in 2 hits each.

In the second game, Adam Philip also went the distance, while only giving up 5 hits.  The defense looked sharp in both games.  On the offensive side, Tim Maul had 3 hits, while Matt Dugovich, Joe Graff, and Miceli all had 2 a piece.

The way things stand now, it looks like we are the 6 seed and we may once again face Pittsburgh, but I'm not sure if all of the results have been updated.  Stay tuned for updates about the exact time and location of this weekend's playoff matchups.

Adam Chambers led the way with a solo homer in the first game and a grand slam in the 2nd, while also tossing the 5 inning shutout in the first game.  Doug "Bartolo Colon" Della-Penna also hit well, going 4-5 over the 2 game set.  The entire team hit the ball and our defense was pretty solid.

The Bulldogs have won 4 straight games, to pull back to .500 on the season with a 5-5 record.

Next Sunday's games are schedule for 10 AM at Avonworth HS vs Clancy's Pub - but the location is still up in the air.  Rumor has it that the games may be moved to the field on Ohio River Blvd.  Stay tuned for updates.

There hasn't been much written about the senior Bulldogs (there hasn't been much to write about), but I figured I would recap the first few weeks of play.

We started the season by being swept by the Elizabeth Rebels.  They are a pretty good team - I think they are actually still undefeated at 8-0.  But this is a team that we split with last season.  We also let several scoring chances slip away in the 2nd game.  We were routed in the first game 8-0, while we lost  an extra inning heart breaker in the 2nd game, 2-1.  It rained the entire game, so it was a pretty shitty way to end the day.

Next up were the Beavers.  The Beavers are a young team.  They seemed to hit the ball better this year, but their pitching was a little suspect.  Our bats remained silent for the most part and we ended up splitting with the Beavers.   This was a tough weekend, as we swept the Beavers last season, and we really should have beaten them in both games this year.  Some shaky defense, base running blunders, and untimely hitting (once again) did us in.... leaving us at 1-3 after 2 weeks, with the best team in the league coming up next.

In week 3 we faced off against "Pittsburgh".  Again, the pitching that we faced was nothing spectacular and their defense was not even that great, but they hit the shit out of the ball.  After getting 10 runned in the first game, we jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the 2nd game.  After a single run, and a 2 run blast, the game was tied up and Pittsburgh never looked back.  We were 10 runned once again.  Those old dudes can rake.

Which brings us to last week.  We faced off against the Steel City Prowlers, with our record sitting at 1-5.  We really needed a couple of wins to avoid getting too far out of playoff contention early in the season.  Unfortunately I missed both games and that seems to be the spark that we needed.  It looks like both games were close, but we pulled out the win in each one by one run.  I have no other details other than the fact that I was informed that I had lost my job as the starting CF and that I should not even bother coming to the game this Sunday....

Speaking of Sunday, we play the Rangers at 9AM at Avonworth High School.  Be there!

And speaking of photoshops, this picture popped up on my Facebook today and I just couldn't pass up making a quick photoshop.  I'm sure Ben will have fun with this one on the Ducks blog.

Several Bulldogs relaxing with some protein shakes after another victory.

PEACE!

The PBL Bulldogs are in a fight for the playoffs, and after a decisive two-game sweep of the River City Sharks, they control their own destiny with an 11-13 record.  The Sharks were unable to retire two players all day (6-6 with three walks, and 2 HBP) while the Bulldog hitters collected 24 hits on the day, and the Bulldogs pitching allowed only 2 earned runs in 14 innings.

The NABA Bulldogs were well-represented in the NABA All-Star Game with Justin Meyers, Jarrod Harris, and Matt Dugovich all starting in the contest.  Dugovich and Myers accounted for 2 of the 3 runs scored for the Allegheny squad.  BJ Rankin, Joe Graff, Jeff Trojan, and Adam Phillip were also nominated for the roster.

In the early game, Dave Higgenbothem allowed only one unearned run in the top of the first en route to a 3 hit, complete game shutout.

The Bulldogs offense was hot in game one, with three singles, in the first two innings.  However, they only came away with one run early, after two balls were scorched at infielders for taylor-made double plays, and a third ball was lined directly to the leftfielder.  A lead-off walk in the third, and a lead-off single in the fourth led to no runs, as the Bulldogs pissed on four more balls, but right at a Sharks defender, who made the plays on the urine-drenched baseballs.

A Bulldogs feasts on a Shark Pitcher

The flood gates begin to open in the fifth, when after two outs, the Dawgs top four hitters all reached base, scoring two runs.  In the sixth, they scored four runs on three hits, with two more outs coming on line drives.

In Game two, the hits finally began to fall in.  The Bulldogs scored 6 runs in the first inning, and never looked back, scoring 5 more runs in the fifth inning on 6 consecutive hits.

Notable Performances: Strom 4-4, 4R, 2BB, 3RBI; Boyd 3-4, 2R, BB, RBI; Logan 3-6, RBI; Morgan 3-5; Rankin 4-7 3R; Graff 2-2, 3R, 2HBP, BB, SAC

Strom proudly displays his balls.

With a sweep of their last 4 games, the Bulldogs will assure themselves of making the playoffs, and with a little help could end up as the #5 seed.

Time for a new post.

The young studs remain atop the NABA standings at 9-1, although 3 of their past 4 contests have been postponed due to rain.  They haven't played in over a week.  McCombie is on the shelf with a high-grade LCL tear for 4-6 weeks, and Wino is done after surgery Friday for an undetermined amount of time.

Dugo is getting lonely....

young stud

The old Dawgs stand at 4-6 and are in 6th place after splitting their series with the Rebels Sunday.  In short, they have lost 3 games by 1 run, 1 game by 2, and were leading in the other two after 5 innings.  30 of the 62 runs allowed in those 10 games have been unearned, including 11 out of 12 in Sunday's contests.

As for the games that were canceled, they rescheduled for an hour later (more on that I'm sure in a later post)....

Game 1 featured Dan Morgan going 6 strong innings, allowing a single unearned run in the 4th, and 3 more unearned in the 6th before giving way to Joe Dougherty who threw a perfect 7th to close it out.

Offensively, Brian Strom led the way going 2 for 3, with a walk, a run scored and a run batted in.  Bill Jacobs notched the final run with an opposite field home run in the fifth inning.

Game 2 saw the Bulldogs strike for 2 runs in the top of the 1st against Ryan Shetterly, one of the best pitchers in the PBL.  However, the Rebels quickly struck back by scoring 2 unearned runs in the bottom of the first.

The Dawgs regained the lead in the top of the second, scoring 3 runs on an error, 2 walks, 2 hit batsmen, and a timely 2-run single by BJ Rankin.

The Rebels would whittle away at the Bulldogs lead in the 3rd and 4th, scoring 4 more runs on 5 Bulldog errors.

The Dawgs struck back by first tying the game after back to back hits by Ben Gwin and Jacobs, then took the lead on an opposite field home run by Strom in the top of the seventh.

Strom's Off-season Hitting Program

However, this game would end on the Bulldogs 7th and final error of the game.  With two outs, and runners on 1st and 3rd, the Rebels singled to right, scoring the tying run.  As the runner from first advanced to third, the throw trickled away from the third baseman.  He quickly recovered and threw a one-hop strike to the plate....

only to have it dropped by catcher.  Game over.

After a post-game field party, the Dawgs headed to the Chester for fine brews and solid grinds.  A few things were learned:

1) Rob Logan's wife does exist

2) BJ is the best-dressed Bulldog

3) Bill Jacobs is the truly the quickest draw in the west (end of Pittsburgh when required to finish a pitcher of semi-stale beer).

As a reminder to those keeping score at home: The Bulldogs started out 2-9 last season, including dropping a double header to the 5-19 Bombers and being no hit 3 times.  They finished on a 10-3 tear to end the season at 12-12.

We are at 4-6 with some very winnable games ahead of us. 19 of them by my count.

Woof.

Also known as a "Bulldog Inning"... Generally happens in the 6th inning.  First known occurrence was last year in the playoffs vs the Warriors.  Most recent occurrence was in the first game of this year when we took a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the 6th and then gave up 8 runs.

It happened again this past weekend, but in uglier fashion.

Game #1 - Bulldogs lead 4-2 going into top of the 7th.  Tieing run scores on a dropped 3rd strike with 2 outs and a runner on 3rd base.  Runner comes home to score on what should have been the final out of the game.  The Sharks go on to win in extra innings.  The Sharks won 5-4 on only 4 hits.

Game #2 - With a 5-1 lead going into the bottom of the 6th, the Bulldogs give up 5 runs and lose 6-5.  I think the Sharks also only had 4 hits in this game.

So we gave up a total of 11 runs on 8 hits.  Our pitching has been outstanding despite the umps squeezing us.  Our defense has been horrible. (Though Jacobs diving stop, throw from the ground, to Dahlke gymnastic stretch was one of the sickest plays I have seen in quite some time.)

Nothing much more to say.  Put this weekend behind us.  This coming weekend won't get any easier.  We will be playing shorthanded against the 4-0 Prowlers.  Happy Memorial Day weekend.

I have started the entries, and hopefully Martin will finish them off.... I have left the color commentary for the Duckzzz Blog.

NABA Bulldogs - Saturday, 8:30am @ John Herb Field vs. Ducks

Bulldogs win first "Battle of the Blog" for 2010

The Bulldogs defeated the South Oakland Duckzzz by a final score of 5-1.  The Duckz have acquried former Owlz Brendan Scoscia, Rob Cool, Anthony DeFilippo, and Ken Cool.  This marked the first time they took the field together as Duckzzz.

For a more entertaining recap of the game, please visit the Duckzzz Official Site.

Adam Philipp paced the Bulldogs allowing only one run while scattering 6 hits over 7 innings to pick up the complete game victory. The Bulldogs played solid defense behind him, throwing out base thieves, and turning double plays.

The Bulldogs offense was led by Jeff Trojan. Trojan went 3-3 with a double, and scored 2 runs.  Justin Meyers drove in two runs.

The Bulldogs next play Wednesday, 5/19 at 9pm at Spring Hill Park versus, the South Side Eagles.

Final score: Bulldogs 5, Ducks 1

Player of the Game: Adam Philipp, Bulldogs – 7 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 5K

Player of the Game #2: Jeff Trojan, Bulldogs – 3 for 3, 2 R, 2B

Notables: Graff, BUL – 1-2, BB, RBI
Harris, BUL – 2-3
Nehay, BUL – 0-1, 2BB, 2R
Meyers, BUL – 1-2, BB, R, 2 RBI
Rankin, BUL – 1-1, BB, R
Scoscia, DUX – 1-2, BB
Casale, DUX – 1-1, RBI

PITCHING

Ducks: Baumgartel, R. – 7 IP

Bulldogs: Philipp, A. – 7 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 5K

TIME: 8:35 am
ATTENDANCE: 23
WEATHER – 67 Degrees and Sunny
UMPIRES - HP: Perry, Jim; Field: Sunseri, Dan

PBL Bulldogs - Sunday, 10:00am @ Haymaker Park vs. Monroeville Hurricanes

Game 1 - Dahlke Delivers for Bulldogs

The Bulldogs were set down in order to start the game and then promptly gave up 2 runs in the bottom of the first, one of which was unearned.  In the bottom of the first, the Hurricanes would give the runs right back.  After the SS made 2 errors to put two Bulldogs on base, Jeff Dahlke one hopped the fence to score 2 runs and tie the game back up.The Bulldogs would take the lead for good in the top of the 4th when Dahlke again doubled off the top of the fence (the ump would later admit that he thought the ball hit an overhanging tree branch and should have been ruled a HR) - scoring 2 more runs in the top of the 4th.  The Dawgs would break things open in the top of the 6th, scoring 5 more runs and leaving several runners on base.  Schaeffer and Strom would come on in the 7th to close things out.  The final score was 11-6.  Dahlke lead the way with 2 doubles, 3 RBI, and striking out 7 Hurricanes.  Schuyler Schaeffer contributed a double, single, and 2 RBI, and Graff and Yeakel chipped in with 2 hits each.

Game 2 - Morgan shuts down the 'Canes

The bats were hot early in this one, as the Dawgs jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead after 2 innings.  Harry Yeakel had 2 doubles and 2 RBI in the first 2 innings.  On the mound, Dan Morgan shut the Hurricanes down, giving up only 2 unearned runs through 6 innings, while surrendering 2 more in the 7th.  But the early 6 run lead would prove to be enough as the Dawgs cruised to a 10-4 win.  Yeakle and Maul would both contribute 3 hits each for the Bulldogs, with Graff adding another 2 hits.

The PBL Bulldogs have their first home game 5/23 @ Avonworth High School versus the River City Sharks.  All are encouraged to attend.

In other news, the Bulldogs are searching for some slogans for 2010, and are open to suggestions.  A poll will be conducted soon to determine the winner.

On to the highlights....

GAME 1 SUMMARY – Philip guides Bulldogs past Knights

Adam Philip was exceptional on the mound for the Bulldogs going 5 innings while allowing only 2 hits and racking up 11 of 15 outs as strikeouts, including the first six of the game.  Additionally, he went 2 for 3 at the plate with a run batted in.

Colin Peffley came in to preserve the victory, striking out four of the six batters he faced.  He also went 2 for 3 on the day with a run batted in.

Vinny Gala chipped in offensively with 3 runs batted in, while new Bulldog Jarrod Harris was 1 for 3 with a walk and four stolen bases in his inaugural game.

For the Knights, Conner McKeel and Scott Glasser managed the only hits of the game.  McKeel also went the distance on the mound.

Final score: BUL 12, KNI 0

Player of the Game: Adam Phillip, BUL – 2 for 3, 5 IP, 11K, 0 BB, 2 H
Player of the Game #2: Colin Peffley, BUL – 2 for 3, 2IP, 4K
Player of the Game #3: Vinny Gala, BUL – 1 for 3, BB, 3 RBI

PITCHING
KNI:
Conner McKeel (L), 7 IP, 3 K, 2BB

BUL:
Philip, Adam (W); 5 IP, 11K, 0 BB, 2 H
Peffley, Colin; 2IP, 4K

TIME: 1:00PM
ATTENDANCE: 7
WEATHER – 48 Degrees and Cloudy
UMPIRES - HP: Hughes, Ken; Field:Magrino, Joe

GAME  2 SUMMARY – Graff leads the offense in win over Knights

Joe Graff went 3 for 4 and picked off the only Knights runner to reach third base as the Bulldogs defeated the Knights 10-0.  Vinny Gala ended the game with a walk-off double over the head of Adam Spinner to score Matt Dugovich from second.

BJ Rankin provided an additional spark to the offense going 2 for 2 with two runs batted in and a run scored.
Scott Glasser was the Knights lone offensive force for the Knights going 1 for 1 with a double and a sacrifice bunt.

Dan Morgan went scoreless innings before giving way to Brian Strom who preserved the shutout victory.

Final score: BUL 10, KNI 0

Player of the Game: Joe Graff; 3 for 4, 2B, 3 SB, 2 Run, 2 RBI
Player of the Game #2: Dan Morgan, 4IP, 4K, 2H
Player of the Game #3: BJ Rankin; 2 for 2, 2 RBI, 1 R

PITCHING
KNI:
Cammarata, Sean (L);  4 IP, 4K, 5 ER
Lawrence, Adam; 1.2 IP, 3 ER

BUL:
Morgan, Dan (W); 4 IP, 4K, 2H, 0 R
Strom, Brian; 2 IP, 3K, 0 R

TIME: 2:55 PM
ATTENDANCE: 17
WEATHER – 53 Degrees, Mostly Sunny
UMPIRES - HP: Magrino, Joe; Field: Hughes, Ken

The Baby Bulldogs were blanked 5-0 early Saturday morning by the upstart Oilers. The Oil have totally revamped their lineup. Dan Morgan went for the Bulldogs, with Adam Philip doing the relief duty.

After no hitting the Warriors (with 17 K's), Dan Ruef stepped onto the mound for his second start of the season. Matt Dugovich greeted him with a single, breaking up his bid to no hit the entire NABA. Ruef would go on to surrender only 4 hits on the day and strike out 10 or 11 ? Something like that. The Bulldogs put the ball in play but could not string together any hits and/or hit the ball with much authority. It looks as though Ruef could be the next dominating NABA pitcher to carry his team deep into a post season run.

The old timers were rained out on Sunday and celebrated with a buffet breakfast at Eat N Park, followed by the Pen's game at the Chester later in the day. The double header against the Prowlers will be made up Memorial Day weekend. It already looks like we will be playing short handed because of several people out of town, so any former / reserve / replacement Bulldogs that might be out there reading this, we could use your help on May 30th (Boley, Gwinn, Minford, Schlegel, Byer, Palmer, BJ, Delo, Dobber - ok some of those are wishful thinking)... Spread the word, because I don't want to forfeit and I don't want to play with 2 - 3 pitchers for another weekend double header.