Bulldogs Take Spring Break Loss

By LOU  MARTIN

The Progress

After a tough Cactus Classic weekend, playing 5 games in two days, Virgin Valley High School Baseball Coach Dan Wright got the chance to rest some of his players, especially his starting pitchers, in a game against Needles High School (Calif.) played in Mesquite last week. The result was a 7-4 loss to the Mustangs on Monday March 13.

The Mustangs scored a run in the top of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. The Bulldogs responded with two runs in the bottom of the first to take a 2-1 lead. Pitcher Kurt Felix hit a long triple for an RBI.

The Mustangs added a single run in the second inning and two more runs in the third to increase their lead to 4-1.

The Bulldogs attempted to rally with two outs. Bryce Intagliata hit a sharp single followed by a walk and an RBI single from Mason Montoya making the score 4-3 after three innings of play.

The Mustangs blew the game wide open in the fourth against the first reliever of the game. Needles scored three runs on a single, a bunt single and a walk to load the bases with zero outs. A single brought in two runs and a sac fly brought in the other.

Shortstop Montoya came into the game in relief and shut down the Mustangs. But the damage was done as Needles led 7-3 after four innings.

Montoya kept the Mustangs at bay for the rest of the game giving the local fans hope for a rally to cut the Needles lead. But the Bulldogs attempted rally fell short in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Intagliata began the inning with a walk. That was followed by an RBI double from Montoya scoring Intagliata. Chandon Jensen tried to keep the inning going with a single but quick hands from the Mustang’s third baseman snuffed out the rally and ended the game with Needles on top 7-4.

Intagliata, Felix and Montoya led the Dawgs offense with two hits each. Intagliata also scored three runs for the Bulldogs. Montoya looked good in relief striking out five in three innings.

The Bulldogs will be traveling to a tournament at Cedar City this weekend.