Lady Dawgs starting off with wins

DAYTON–The Lady Bulldog Fast-Pitch team has a 3-1 record in the first pair of double headers of the season. The season opened with a close 16-14 loss at White Swan on March 12 but the Bulldogs rallied with a 22-7 win in the nightcap. This followed with a pair of wins over Waitsburg on March 16, the first by 20-3 and the second 15-0.

The Lady Bulldogs played earlier this week at Colton then break for Spring Vacation, returning against Gar-Pal on April 6.

"We took a tough loss today," said Head Coach Carly Fabian of the 16-14 loss to the Lady Cougars. "It's always hard to lose in the bottom of the seventh inning when your team has a multiple-run lead. Marissa Tupling was solid at the plate. She went three of five with an RBI and two runs scored.

"Peyton Benavides had a strong outing in the circle and at the plate," Fabian said. "She struck out 11 and went three of five with three RBIs.

"The team overall played hard and showed a lot of skill in the field," she said.

Returning senior Kameryn Tupling played a big role in Dayton's first win in the nightcap at White Swan, bu a score of 22-7. "She drove in four runs on three hits," Fabian said. "Kaelie Jonas was solid at the plate and in the field.

"We have four juniors returning, too," the coach noted. "These girls have a lot of experience. I am excited for this group."

Against Touchet Valley rivals Waitsburg on March 16, the Lady Dawgs registered two seismic wins, 20-3 and 15-0.

"Lucy Trump pitched the first home game this season," Fabian said. "She worked hard and did a wonderful job. She pitched all five innings, only allowing a small amount of hits, striking out four. She also smacked the ball for a triple.

"Lila Hutchens had four RBIs and Jersey Slack went three for three at the plate, she said.

"The girls have stayed focused and locked in at practice and it is paying off," said Fabian.

The second game was highlighted by Teagan Culley's base-running prowess. "Teagan Culley showed that experience going two for two and showing her baserunning skills," Fabian said. "When Teagan gets on, she shines on the basepaths.

"Peyton Benavides stepped up on the mound, striking out seven and also was solid at the plate, going three of three with a home run," she said.

Benavides was selected as Athlete of the Week by the WIAA, sponsored by GESA Credit Union. "Over four games this past week, Dayton freshman Peyton Benavides went 16-for-18 at the plate with nine RBIs," the WIAA blurb noted. "In the field, she had a perfect fielding percentage, starting two games at first base and two more as the starting pitcher. In her two starts on the mound, she gave up only six hits over 10 innings and struck out 18, leading the Bulldogs to a 3-1 start to the season."

Game 1

Dayton 15, Waitsburg 0 (3/16)

R H E

WTB 000 0-0 1 3

Day 426 3-15 8 1

Battery: Waitsburg-Kylie Henry and Cheri Mathews. Dayton-Lucy Trump and Alexa Jones.

Hits: Waitsburg-Koehler, Bly, Segraves 2, Henry. Dayton-Benavides 2, Hutchens, Laughery, Slack 3.

Game2

R H E

WTB 000 00-0 1 3

Day 426 3x-15 8 1

Battery: Waitsburg-Henry, Potts (3) and Mathews. Dayton-Benavides and Hutchens.

Hits: Waitsburg-Henry. Dayton-Culley 2, Benavides 2, Dobbs, Johnson, Boggs.

Home run: Dayton-Benavides.

Game 1

Dayton 15, White Swan 14 (3/12)

R H E

Day 040 305 2-14 13 4

WS 002 120 11-16 6 5

Battery: Dayton-Benavides, P. Tupling (7) and Hutchens. White Swan-Readhead and Wilson.

Hits: Dayton-M. Tupling 3, Benavides 2, K. Tupling 2, Jonas, Laughery, Slack, Hutches 2. WS-Martinez, Dick, Wilson 2, S. Olney.

Game 2

R H E

Day 301 12-7 5 3

WS (12)00 73-22 15 3

Battery: Dayton-M. Tupling and Jones. WS-Haggerty, Redhead (2) and Olney.

Hits: Dayton-Tupling, Benavides, Hutchens, K. Tupling 3, Jones, Laughery.