Trio of home runs send Bulldogs to sectional loss

The defending sectional champions, who made a run to the 1A state championship game two years ago, scored in each of the first four innings on Monday en route to a 10-0 win.

The loss ended Dugger Union’s season with a record of 6-12.

After Lizzy Sinders struckout the side in the top of the first inning, Clay City took command of the game with four runs in the home half of the frame. The Eels loaded the bases on a pair of singles and a fielding error with no outs. The Bulldogs nearly got out of the jam unscathed as the next two batters were retired on a popup and a strikeout. But Hannah Harris sent a 1-0 pitch over the leftfield wall for a grand slam. 

In the second inning, the Eels once again used the long ball to extend their lead. The Bulldogs’ defense turned a double play to erase a lead-off single, but Sinders singled ahead of Lexi Thompson’s home run for a 6-0 lead.

Dugger Union recorded its first hit of the game in the third inning when freshman Sage Stahl lined a two-out single to left. But Sinders’ seventh punch out of the game ended the third.

Sticking to the home run theme, the Eels struck again in the third. This time it was Karlee Smith leaving the yard with a 2-run blast for an 8-0 lead.

The Bulldogs had their best scoring chance of the night in the fourth inning. 

Brinna Simpson coaxed a two-out base on balls before sophomore Jordyn Smith recorded Dugger’s second hit of the game. But Clay City got out of the inning with a strikeout. 

After Clay City scored twice more in the fourth, the Bulldogs went down in order in the top of the fifth as the game ended via the 10-run rule.

Clay City (15-9) pounded out 13 hits in the win. 

Up next for the Eels will be North Central on Wednesday in the first semifinal game.

The Ladybirds received the first-round bye.

Clay City won the regular season meeting, 12-6.