Diamond ‘Dogs enjoy productive trip out west

Diamond ‘Dogs enjoy productive trip out west

Head Coach Trey Holloway and his GHS Bulldogs had a productive and enjoyable visit to Arizona last week for their annual spring break tournament trip out west. The ‘Dogs went 3-1 during the week.

Greenwood also notched a 12-1 blowout victory over visiting Booneville on the Thursday before spring break. Earlier that week the Diamond ‘Dogs split a pair of conference games with Little Rock Christian. They stand 9-4 overall and 1-1 in league play.

Tournament

The Bulldogs played four games in three days – Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of last week. They opened with a 6-0 loss on Tuesday to Chandler, Arizona, then rebounded to win three straight, including twice on Wednesday.

Chandler pitching and defense held the Bulldogs to just four hits over seven frames, while Greenwood pitcher Landry Jurecka allowed six runs on eight hits, while striking out four. He issued no walks, but the GHS defense made three errors behind him.

Jurecka gave up four consecutive hits to start the game as Chandler pushed across three runs. Poor GHS defense allowed another run to score in the third, followed by two more in the fourth.

The next day Greenwood defeated Valor Christian of Phoenix, Arizona and Deer Valley of Glendale, Arizona as the offense came to life, scoring 15 runs in the two games.

The Bulldogs were shutout through four frames in the early morning opener against Valor Christian, trailing 4-0 after four innings. But a huge fifth saw Greenwood push across seven runs to take the lead.

Again, GHS errors led to a big inning for Valor Christian in the bottom of the second, helping them build a 3-0 cushion. A single run in the third made it 4-0, while the Bulldogs were limited to just one baserunner through four stanzas. But that all changed in the fifth.

With one out, a walk was followed by three consecutive hits and a pair of errors to break the shutout and get the GHS offense rolling. More hits followed and Greenwood led 7-4 when the dust settled.

Valor added its final run in the bottom of the frame and the Diamond ‘Dogs tacked on one more in the top of the seventh for insurance.

Senior Peyton Holt relieved starter Jace Presley, who went four innings and was responsible for all five Valor Runs. Holt pitched three scoreless frames for the 8-5 win.

Offensively, River Baker, Preston Jurecka, and Timothy Earnhart all had two hits each for Greenwood. Baker also had a pair of RBIs. Holt, Preston Jurecka, Chance Eoff, Chance Sneathern, and Landry Jurecka also had solo RBIs for the Bulldogs.

The second game of the day was an afternoon affair and both teams broke out the sticks early, scoring a combined five runs in the first inning. Greenwood tallied three runs while Deer Valley added two in the frame. But Bulldogs made it 4-2 in the top of the second and 5-2 in the top of the third.

Deer Valley countered with single runs in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, cutting the GHS advantage to 6-5 heading into the seventh and final frame.

The Bulldogs then pushed across a final run to account for the two-run margin, 7-5, and reliever Chance Eoff made it stand up with a perfect seventh inning.

Nick Phelps started for Greenwood and allowed all five runs on eight hits and three walks over six innings, while fanning six opposition hitters. The GHS defense made three errors in the game.

At the dish, Greenwood was paced by outfielder Chance Eoff with three hits, all singles. He also scored a pair of runs. Peyton Holt had a pair of RBIs on a homerun. Five other players also had solo hits.

Greenwood’s final tournament game was last Thursday against Eaglecrest of Centennial, Colorado, an 10-2 blowout victory for the Diamond ‘Dogs. Cade Lynch went all seven innings for the win.

Lynch gave up just the two runs on five hits, walking three and fanning four enemy hitters. The defense was good behind him as well, making just one error.

The Bulldogs scored a single run in the top of the first without the benefit of a hit. They added three more runs in the second, sending seven hitters to the plate.

Greenwood made it 5-0 in the top of the third, 6-1 in the top of the fourth, 9-1 with three runs in the fifth, before each team scored a run in the seventh.

Greenwood banged out 11 hits in the game, led by Preston Jurecka with three hits. Several other players had two hits each, including Landry Jurecka, Caden Brown, and Timothy Earnhart. Landry Jurecka also had four RBIs, while Earnhart added two.

Booneville

In their final game before spring break the Bulldogs hosted the Bearcats in non-conference play, posting a 12-1 victory in front of the hometown fans.

The game lasted just four innings, with Greenwood scoring in each frame. After taking a 1-0 first inning lead, the Bulldogs put up crooked numbers in the second, third, and fourth innings to notch the mercy-rule win. Booneville scored its only run in its last at bat in the top of the fifth.

The Bearcats were limited to just three hits in the game by GHS starting pitcher Nick Phelps, who went all five frames for the win. The GHS defense was perfect behind him.

At the plate Greenwood was led by senior shortstop Peyton Holt with three hits, including a double and a run scored. Preston Jurecka also had a pair of big knocks with a triple, homerun, and three RBIs.

Five other players contributed with solo hits, while Colton Sagely and Nick Vaughn each added a pair of runs batted in.

Upcoming

The Diamond ‘Dogs traveled to Russellville this past Tuesday for a conference doubleheader against the Cyclones, but results were not available at press time.

They will hit the practice field for the remainder of the week before hosting Vilonia for another league twinbill next Tuesday, April 2nd.

Greenwood will then play at Sallisaw, Oklahoma on Thursday, April 4th and will host Ozark on Saturday, April 6th before returning to league play at Siloam Springs on April 9th.