Bulldogs finish fall baseball at 7-11

South Pemiscot pitcher Ross Russell fires toward home plate.

The fall of 2017 was filled with ups and downs for Coach Jason House and his South Pemiscot Bulldogs baseball team. However, after a very tough 0-5 start to the season, the ‘Dogs bounced back and recorded seven wins.

South Pemiscot picked up a good 9-4 win against Campbell Tuesday, Sept. 12. Kevin Burton paced the Bulldogs at the plate, scattering three hits, including a double. Keith Guyton belted a double and single, as Ross Russell smacked a pair of singles. Colton McCulloch, Johnny Finley, Harley Baxter and Blake Romhilt all had one hit apiece for South Pemiscot. On the hill, Burton got the starting nod. He pitched 6 2/3 innings, striking out four and giving up just one earned run off four Camel hits.

On Friday, Sept. 15, the Bulldogs lost to Neelyville, 4-1. Bulldog hitters were Keith Guyton, Ross Russell and Blake Romhilt. Ross Russell pitched six innings of six-hit ball, fanning five and surrendering three earned runs. Ashton Thompson closed, striking out one.

South Pemiscot first baseman Colton McCulloch smacks the ball into play.

In their second game of the day, the ‘Dogs got a win against Senath-Hornersville, taming the Lions 12-2, despite managing only three hits. At the plate, Ryan Russell, Ross Russell and Blake Romhilt recorded a single each. Going the distance for South Pemiscot on the mound was Ryan Russell, who gave up five hits and two earned runs, striking out eight batters.

South Pemiscot lost to Bernie, 17-9, Tuesday, Sept. 19. Ross Russell led the Bulldogs’ hitting attack with a double and two singles. Kevin Burton and Ryan Russell slugged a double and single each, while Keith Guyton ripped a pair of singles. Colton McCulloch and Blake Romhilt tacked on a hit apiece for the ‘Dogs. As for pitching duties, Burton served as starter, going 4 1/3 innings, fanning four and surrendering 12 earned runs off 11 hits. Ashton Thompson hurled 2 1/3 innings of two-hit ball, fanning two batters and allowing zero earned runs. Grant Payne closed.

On Friday, Sept. 22, the Bulldogs fell to Holcomb, 8-3, in a junior varsity contest. In the batter’s box, Ross Russell paced South Pemiscot with two hits, including a double. Blake Rohmilt and Grant Payne smashed a single each. Four Bulldogs earned a trip to the mound, recording a total of seven Ks. Ashton Thompson struck out two and allowed an earned run. Payne fanned one and gave up two hits. Ross Russell struck out one and Layne McCormick had three Ks, allowing one hit.

Zeroing in on the pitch is Bulldog Keith Guyton. Ryan Russell waits on deck.

In the annual fall tourney, South Pemiscot dropped their opening-round game to Campbell, 6-3, Saturday, Sept. 23. Pacing the Bulldogs at the plate was Kevin Burton, scattering a double and two singles. Colton McCulloch and Ross Russell blasted two hits apiece, while Ryan Russell added a hit for South Pemiscot. Putting in six innings of work on the hill for the Bulldogs was Ryan Russell. He struck out five while surrendering eight hits, but allowed only two earned runs.