Sispey Valley rallies late to put an end to Bulldogs’ year
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, April 30, 2019
- Andalusia fought hard but fell to Sipsey Valley. Josh Dutton/Star-News
The defending Class 4A state champions saw their season come to an end on Saturday in Buhl after falling to Sispey Valley 4-3 in game three of the second round of the Class 4A state tournament.
Andalusia got things started strong when Gill Morgan drove a ball to center field for a double.
Jacob Cravey then drew a walk to give the Bulldogs runners on first and second.
Andalusia tried to play a little small ball, but a bunt from Hogan Nichols was fielded and thrown to third to get the lead runner.
The play turned out to be a huge break for Sipsey Valley.
Chip Morgan followed with a double, but Cravey was thrown out attempting to score.
In the bottom of the first inning, C. Morgan struck out the first batter he faced.
C. Morgan struck out the second batter and got the third batter to ground out to end the inning.
On the mound, C. Morgan kept things moving along for the Bulldogs as he retired Sipsey Valley in order in the bottom of the second inning.
G. Morgan got things going in the top of the third inning with his second double in as many at bats.
Cravey followed with a single to put the Bulldogs up 1-0.
Cravey moved to second on a single from Brennan Strong and moved to third off of an error, but the Bulldogs were unable to add to their lead.
In the bottom of the third inning, Sipsey Valley loaded the bases off of a single, and error and a hit batter.
Sipsey Valley then tied the game with a sacrifice fly to center field.
A single then gave Sipsey Valley a 2-1 lead after three innings of play.
Garrett Davis reached with one out after being hit by a pitch, but then a double play ended the frame for the Bulldogs.
In the top of the fifth inning, G. Morgan reached off of an error and moved to second on a single from Cravey.
Nichols then moved G. Morgan to third with a sacrifice fly.
However, the Bulldog threat was snuffed out with a double play to end the frame.
Sipsey Valley turned three hit batters, a walk and a sacrifice fly into a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Strong singled to start the top of the sixth inning for the Bulldogs and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Caleb Blackston.
Andalusia then loaded the bases with back-to-back walks to J.W. Jones and Davis.
The Bulldogs moved within one run when Ayden Amis drove in a pair runs with a one-out single.
The Bulldogs’ threat didn’t last much longer as another rally killing double play left the Bulldogs trailing 4-3.
Andalusia got a one-out single from Nichols and walk from C. Morgan in the top of the seventh inning, but the Bulldogs were unable to bring them around to score.