Bulldogs secure first, prepare for Spartans

Sunny skies were the backdrop for Athens’ 6-5 win against Belpre Monday night at the Athens Softball Complex. While the weather seemed perfect the game was anything but.

Belpre jumped off to an early lead of 3-0 in the third inning and with the momentum, it seemed like the Bulldogs would not be able recover. But with enthusiasm and cheers pouring out of the dug out, pitcher Jayne Seymour hit a single and scored thanks to Belpre errors and a line drive by Whitney Dickens.

Seymour has struggled this season throwing the ball overhand due to pain in her arm and did have a bad throw to first, but her pitching along with the power hitting helped the team clench the victory.

But it was not an easy victory, and it was not a usual game of fast pitch.

For starters the umpire allowed a run to score fourth off of what can be considered a pitcher error. Belpre pitcher Natalie Perry was evidently continuously pitching before the ump was ready. With the Bulldog’s Sarah Daugherty on third, he stopped play and allowed her to score and batter Tiffany James to take first. Even the other score keepers and reporters could not make this call out.

This was not the only miscommunication between the ump and the pitchers. On two occasions Seymour intended to call time and seemed to be ignored, resulting in a little frustration from the Bulldog dugout.

Unusual circumstances aside, this was a victory for Athens and one that means first place in the Tri Valley Conference.

Coach Shelia Ross attributes the come from behind win to the girl’s camaraderie.

“We have tended to start slow in the past few games but we have faith in our bats and faith in our team.”

The win can also be attributed to Abby Pomento who had two hits including the game wining run. At the end of regulation the score was tied 5-5. Seymour and the defense held Belpre allowing for Pomento’s at bat for the winning hit.

Pomento has been strong for the Bulldogs offense with four hits in the game against Wellston, last Thursday April 15, including a home run. She combines these for six hits in the past two games.

Usual standout Raven Cline struggled going only one for four. Belpre tried to capitalize on this but the Bulldog’s were relentless. They had given Belpre its only loss in the league and with this victory would clinch first place.

But they cannot rest on this win.

Thursday the Bulldogs face the Alexander Spartans who they soundly defeated 11-0 in their last meeting on April 6. Such a high scoring win would seem to give the Bulldogs a leg up but Ross says it is more of a challenge now.

“You have a few things you can do with different teams but we have got to play well and we have to start from the first inning because coming from behind cannot be an option,” she says.

The Spartans have a successful pitcher and the Bulldogs will attempt to slow her down early and keep the momentum they need.