Bulldogs score wins over Hartville and Conway but lose to Nowood

The Gainesville Bulldogs baseball team added two wins and a loss to their fall season record recently, bringing it to 6-2. The Gainesville boys avenged their Aug. 27 loss to Hartville, battling to a 9-7 road win over the Eagles on Thursday, Sept. 9.  “It was a back-and-forth battle, and we came back from being down twice,” said GHS coach Blake Hobbs. “We played a bad defensive game, but we made up for it offensively. We made their pitchers work the entire game. We drew 11 walks in the game and were hit by a pitch twice. I was extremely pleased with our ability to play team baseball and move runners when needed. We had a lot of guys who did not get a hit, and found a way to still contribute offensively.” 

Gainesville’s Andrew Hambelton pitched four innings and had three strikeouts and allowed four runs (one earned). He was 2-2 at the plate with 3 RBIs and two doubles. Jake Leeker pitched two innings, allowed no earned runs and had four strikeouts. Aden Yarger was 1-4 at the plate with 2 RBIs and a double. Bryce Hambelton was 2-4, with 1 run, 1 RBI and a home run. Jarett Hogan was 1-2 with 2 runs and 2 RBIs.

The Bulldogs traveled to Conway Friday, Sept. 10, and beat the Bears 13-2. “It was a slow start for us, but once we started clicking, we took control,” Hobbs said.

Landry Jenkins pitched five innings for Gainesville and had three strikeouts, and allowed 5 hits with 2 earned runs.

Jake Leeker was 2-3 at the plate with 1 run and 1 RBI. Andrew Hambelton was 1-3 with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored. Bryce Hambelton was 2-3 with 3 RBIs. Bryson Martin was 2-4 with 2 runs and a double. Jarett Hogan was 2-3 with 1 run scored, 2 RBIs and a double.

“I feel like we are doing a ton better on limiting our strikeouts,” Hobbs said. “We only struck out five times total in the two games. That’s a major improvement from last year. I’m excited to see this team continue to improve.”

The Bulldogs hosted Norwood Monday, Sept. 13 and lost 8-6. The team traveled to Seymour Tuesday, Sept. 14. Results of that game were unavailable at press time.

Ozark County Times

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