Bulldogs closing in on postseason

With the regular season winding down and the postseason playoffs just around the corner the Douglas Bulldog baseball team continues to impress winning three more games last week extending their winning streak to five.

On March 29 the Bulldogs were upset 10-6 by the Empire Ravens at Copper King Stadium.

Still stinging from that loss the Bulldogs took out their frustrations on Empire in the rematch Friday thumping the Ravens 17-2.

Roy Aguirre was the winning pitcher Friday going all seven innings and giving up two runs off 10 hits while fanning nine and failing to allow a walk.

The Bulldogs came out swinging scoring seven runs in the top half of the first off six hits. Jorge Escalante had a RBI double this inning that got things going for Douglas.

Empire scored one of its two runs in the bottom half of the inning.

The Bulldogs responded with three in the third and one in the fourth taking an 11-1 lead.

Empire scored a much needed run in the bottom of the fifth to avoid the mercy rule.

Douglas responded with six runs in the top of the seventh.

Escalante hit 4 for 6 this game with three doubles. Diego Resendiz was 3 for 3, Fernando Rojas 1 for 2, Kirt Cormier 3 for 5, Grant Watkins 1 for 3, Joey Urquijo 2 for 5, Alex Montano 2 for 3, Jason Sanez 2 for 3 and Xavier Altamirano 4 for 5.

On April 10 the Bulldogs edged the Benson Bobcats 9-4 at Copper King Stadium.

Watkins was the winning pitcher giving up four runs off four hits while fanning 14 and walking five in seven innings on the hill.

Escalante hit 2 for 3 this game, Sanez and Altamirano each were 1 for 4. Resendiz was 3 for 4, Rufino Salinas and Urquijo each were 2 for 3, Watkins was 1 for 3.

The Bulldogs began week beating the Buena Colts coached by former Douglas Bulldog Johnny Bess, 6-5 in Sierra Vista.

The win proved to be rather costly however as Luis Barrios separated his shoulder sliding into second base in the top of the fourth.

Altamirano was the winning pitcher giving up five runs off six hits while fanning 12 and walking three in seven innings on the hill.

Buena led 1-0 going into the top of the second when the Bulldogs rallied for four runs taking a 4-1 lead.

Buena came back with single runs in the second and third before a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth gave the Colts a 5-4 lead.

Escalante tied the game in the top of the sixth scoring on a wild pitch. Cormier’s base hit later scored Sanez with what proved to be the winning run.

Barrios hit 1 for 2 this game. Escalante was 2 for 3, Sanez 2 for 5, Resendiz 1 for 5, Aguirre 1 for 2. Cormier and Watkins each were 2 for 4.

Douglas’ coach Gilbert Rojas said he was pleased with how his team battled back after falling behind.

Looking back on the week the coach said his team is playing good solid ball right now and much better defense.

Against Empire the Bulldogs had just two errors. The coach said scoring the seven runs in the top of the first helped his team gain control of the momentum quickly showing Empire this game would be different than the earlier one in Douglas.

The Bulldogs have two big games in Douglas this week.

Douglas hosted Cienega last week and will play their final home game Thursday at 4 against Buena.

On April 24 the Bulldogs conclude the regular season with a game at Benson.

The post season playoffs begin April 25.