“Playing from behind?”
Dixon hasn’t had much experience with that concept this spring. The undefeated Bulldogs (8-0) have trailed for innings here and there, but only by single runs.
So Monday night, when the Laquey Hornets scored three runs in the bottom of the third inning to go up 3-0, there was some panic. It didn’t last long.
Capped by a long two-run bomb to right from first baseman Jake Bertoni, the Bulldogs unleashed nine runs on the Hornets in the top of the sixth on their way to a close 9-8 victory over their Frisco League rivals. All nine runs came with two outs.
Laquey (1-6) struck first in the third inning with a double and three singles to take the early 3-0 lead. Neither team would score until Dixon’s big sixth.
Nick York started the game for the Hornets but only threw four innings. York threw Friday and Saturday and Kincaid didn’t want to risk him throwing any more, so freshman Brandon Rivard came on to pitch in the fifth. In the sixth, Rivard started strong, retiring the first two Bulldogs with a groundout and a pickoff.
But he had trouble getting the second out, as Dixon sent six runners around to score before he was replaced by Blair McKirsty. Three more Bulldogs crossed the plate, capped by Bertoni’s blast, until Laquey finally got the final out.
But Laquey didn't quit and made it a game.
In the bottom half of the sixth, Rivard made up some lost ground with a just-fair grand slam to left, part of a five-run sixth that cut the Dixon lead to 9-8 and made it a game again. Rivard went 2-for-3 with five RBIs.
After McKirsty held the Bulldogs scoreless in the seventh, the Hornets had one more chance to tie or win the game. Dixon's Dustin Doyle came in and gave up a single before striking out the side to end the game; earning the save.
Gan and Laquey catcher Jarrod Lonergan each went 2-for-4 for Laquey, while Doyle and CJ Regan went 2-for-4 for Dixon.
The Hornets are off until Saturday, when they’ll compete in the Crocker Tournament.
Dixon hosts Belle today then plays in the Hartville Tournament this weekend.
