By Jennifer Lindsey
Contributing Writer
Sulphur Bulldogs baseball opened their season with five straight wins, starting with a doubleheader against the Madill Wildcats.
Sulphur won 15-0 and 15-2. “We picked up two early and important district wins,” head Sulphur coach Mike Matlack said. “We are glad to get the season rolling in the right direction.”
In the first game, senior Luke Linville started and got the win on the mound. Senior Jett Runyan came in and finished the game strong. Leading hitters, with 2 hits apiece, were junior Briar Davenport, Linville and freshman Mike Morris. Batters with doubles were senior Cash Matlack, Linville and Morris.
In the second game, Runyan started on the mound and earned the win. Sophomore Traber Sartors pitched 2 innings, giving up 2 unearned runs, and freshman Carter Cole came in and threw 1 inning, striking out the side. Leading hitters were Briar Davenport with 2 hits, junior Hayden Raymo with a double, and sophomore Drake Wood with a triple.
Rain cut the Madill/Whitesboro Tournament short, but the Bulldogs made the most of the games they did play, beating Callisburg 9-8 on Thursday and beating Bonham 10-0 and Whitesboro 18-0 on Friday.
Against Callisburg, Linville started and earned the win on the mound, with Sartors, Runyan, and Wood wrapping up the game. Matlack led the batters with 3 hits in 3 at bats, two of which were doubles. Wood and Sartors also had doubles.
“We beat a very good Callisburg team,” Coach Matlack said. “We jumped up early and held on for the win. We need to work on finishing teams when we can.”
On Friday, Cash Matlack had 5 hits with 1 double. Cole and Davenport had 3 hits each. Linville, Jackson, and Davenport also hit doubles. Wood, Cole, and Kaden Sietz pitched the two games, only giving up 2 hits.
“Friday our pitching shined,” Coach Matlack said. “We gave up 2 hits all day. If we can throw strikes, we should be able to stay in a lot of games.”
Sulphur played again Monday, losing 9-8 at Plainview and Tuesday against Plainview. Friday, the Bulldogs will play at Caddo at 11 am.
