Dalton overcome by Bobcats, split DH with Knights
Kole Miller winds up.
PHOTOS BY LISA McGINTY | LMc Photography
Keller McFarren with a single to drive in some runs.
By ARIEL STAHLER
Gazette & News sports writer
Dalton High School’s varsity baseball team lost for the first time this season when they were defeated by Norwayne 8-1 on April 5. The Dawgs finished the week by splitting a doubleheader with West Holmes to make their overall record 3-3. They hold a WCAL record of 2-2.
The Dawgs briefly held the lead in the top of the second inning against host Norwayne when Kole Miller was hit by a pitch with bases loaded to bring home Colter Chupp. Norwayne took over the lead in the third inning when the Bobcats posted three runs. They extended the lead with two runs in the fourth, one run in the fifth and two more runs in the sixth inning. Isaac Wengerd was the losing pitcher. He gave up six runs, three of which were earned, on seven hits during 4 2/3 innings of work. Wengerd issued one walk and one strikeout.
The visiting Bobcats defeated the Bulldogs 11-4 on April 6. Norwayne held an 8-0 lead after two innings by plating four runs in each inning. They added three more runs in the top of the fourth inning before the Dawgs attempted to make a dent in the lead. In the bottom of the fourth, a pair of back-to-back RBI singles from Grant Johnson and Owen Beatty put Dalton’s first two runs on the board. Johnson drew a bases-loaded walk in the sixth to drive in Justin Basinger. Three batters later, Keller McFarren knocked an RBI single to plate Chupp. This was as close as the Dawgs could get to a rally, as the Bobcats held on for the win.
Dalton traveled to West Holmes April 9 for a doubleheader. The Knights took the first game 9-1. West Holmes held a 2-0 lead after the first inning before adding four additional runs in the third inning. The Knights scored one run in the bottom of the fifth. Dalton scored in the sixth when Johnson drove in Beatty on an RBI single. West Holmes plated one more run in the bottom of the sixth inning.
The Dawgs stormed back in the second game of the doubleheader to shut out West Holmes 9-0.
Dalton led off the first with scoring a run on a passed ball. They exploded for six runs in the third inning, which was highlighted by a two-RBI single from Cade Mullet. Dalton brought in two more runs in the fifth inning.
