The Suwannee Bulldogs are 14-5 overall and 5-2 in district play as they head into the last weeks of their regular season. The Dogs chalked up two more wins last week, shutting out Wakulla in a make-up game Monday, April 11 and then hammering Lafayette in front of the students Tuesday, April 12, 12-2.

“It was a great game Monday night. It was nice to see a pitcher go out and dominate the game the way Billy Moran did. He was in control all night, even in a couple of the innings were he created himself some problems,” said coach Ronnie Gray.

Moran started on the mound and went all the way, throwing a two-hit complete game shutout. Moran struck out 12 Wakulla hitters.

“This was a crucial district game, which barring something unforeseen sets up a showdown for the number-one seed in the district next Tuesday night in Madison,” Gray said.

Suwannee had a very solid offensive night according to Gray.

The Dogs took advantage of six hits, some well executed bunting and base running to score eight runs. Two in the second, two in third, two in the fifth, and two in the sixth.

Moran and Baldwin both collected two hits, with Moran collecting an RBI on a bunt hit scoring Aretino from first base. Baldwin had two RBI’s as he crushed a 2-0 fastball to right center to drive in two in the fifth inning.

Centerfielder Ross Aretino ended Suwannee’s night offensively with an exclamation point as he hit his fourth homerun of the year, a two-run shot to leftfield.

Defensively, Suwannee played errorless baseball and turned several big double plays in the game.

Michael Keene started on the mound for the Dogs against Lafayette. The student body filled the stands to cheer as the Dogs hit three home runs, numerous doubles and a triple.

Ross Aretino doubled off the first pitch of the game. Rheed Baldwin doubled off the centerfield wall to drive in Aretino.

Mark Radford singled to start the second inning. Keene walked and Aretino singled, driving in Radford. Keene scored off a third baseman’s error and Aretino scored off another Lafayette error. Moran scored off yet another Lafayette error and Baldwin hit a home run. The second ended with the Dogs in the lead 6-0.

In the bottom of the third, the pitcher Michael Keene hit a huge home run over center-left. Aretino doubled again and Billy Moran hit a two-run homer, driving in Aretino. The score was 9-0 going into the fourth.

Mayo cracked a two-run homer off Keene in the fourth. Keene held on until the sixth where Ross Aretino came in as relief.

Coach Gray put in some of the alternates in the sixth. Josh Wigglesworth went into center field for Aretino and Chad McGalliard replaced Gabe Galloway in right field.

In the bottom of the sixth, Ryan Stovall doubled down the left baseline. Baldwin hit a ball into the clouds that the Lafayette fielders missed. McGalliard singled and Stovall was forced out at third. Zack Davis hit a long double against the wall in center field and scored Baldwin. Mark Radford tripled to end the game driving in McGalliard and Davis to make it 12-2 and end the game to the 10-run rule.

Look for the Bulldogs at home this Friday night in a district match against Taylor. Game time is 7 p.m. Go Dogs!

Janet Schrader-Seccafico may be reached by calling 1/386/362-1734 ext. 134 or by e-mail at janet.Schrader@gaflnews.Com.