Conway Tournament champions

Photo by April Luna

The Gainesville Bulldogs baseball team, coached by Blake Hobbs, took first place in the Conway baseball tournament held Friday, Oct. 4 and Saturday, Oct. 5. The Bulldogs beat the Dora Falcons 16-1 in the first game. In game two, pitcher Grant Leeker went six innings, striking out 15, allowing zero hits and giving the Bulldogs the edge they needed to beat Hartville 3-0. In game three, senior Hunter Luna competed on the mound, and after a rocky first inning, went five strong innings and allowed the Bulldogs to battle back from a 3-0 deficit with nine unanswered runs, beating Crocker 9-3 to take the championship. Brayden Miller and Dawson Hewett earned all-tournament honors, and Grant Leeker and Hunter Luna were named co-tournament MVPs.  The wins bring the Bulldogs’ season record to 12-1 before heading into the Summit Conference Tournament being held this week. Members of the team are, from left (front row) Cutter Morrison, Brayden Miller, Lyle Pippin, Hunter Luna, Grant Leeker, Owen Donley, Dawson Hewett; (back row) Coach Austin Thompson, Zaiden Rodrigue, Avery Rodrigue, Keaton Dabney, Keegan Crouse, Kaden Hubbard, Kolby Anderson, Aden Gaulding, Haden Evans, Chase Luna, Joey Baker and Coach Blake Hobbs.