Bulldog Softball Kicks Off Season, Picks Up Early Non-Confernce Win

The Hampton-Dumont-CAL softball team comes into the season missing some familiar faces and will look to rebuild around a young core of players.  The Bulldogs have a new pitcher for the first time in four seasons, with sophomore Malie Ott taking the mound for the Bulldogs.  Several returning starters along with some players moving up from JV will look to form a strong core for the Bulldog softball program to build around for the next couple seasons.

The Bulldogs began their season with a thriller against neighboring North Butler at home on Tuesday night. The Bearcats struck first, scoring a run in the third inning.  The Bulldogs would answer with two runs in the fifth inning and each team scored a pair of runs in the sixth.  The Bulldogs took a 4-3 lead into the seventh into the seventh inning, when the Bearcats pushed a run across to tie the game and take it to extra innings.  In the top of the ninth the Bearcats scored twice, earning them a 6-4.  Coach Kelsley Enslin was proud of how her team competed early in the season and expects more of the same competitive drive going forward.  Ott pitched all nine innings, striking out 10 batters.  Madison Lindaman would go 2-for-2 from the plate and drive in a run for the Bulldogs.

Thursday the Bulldogs would host the Nashua-Plainfield Huskies.  The Huskies put a run on the board in the top of the first inning.  The Bulldogs would answer with a run in the second and then eight more in the third.  Ultimately, the Bulldogs would win the game 12-2 in five innings.  Teaghan Bird would lead the Bulldogs with two hits, one run, two runs batted in and a stolen base.  Aspen Harlin hit the first home run of the season for the Bulldogs and drove in three runs.  Ott would pitch five innings with four strikeouts earning her the victory.

Friday night the Bulldogs opened conference play against the Humboldt Wildcats.  The conference rule has the varsity team playing first and the Bulldogs would be overpowered early by the Wildcats.  Three runs in the top of the first would put the Bulldogs in a hole they would not be able to dig out of.  The Wildcats would ultimately earn a 15-0 victory in the fourth inning.  Bird would lead the Bulldogs with a hit, while Ott and Trinity Swart split the pitching duties.  The Bulldogs end their first week of game with a 1-2 record and 0-1 in conference play.

The Bulldogs return to action after the long weekend with a game at AGWSR on Tuesday night, then return to conference play Wednesday with a trip to Clarion-Goldfield-Dows.  Thursday they host Collins-Maxwell and Friday the Algona Bulldogs.