Bulldogs Win Nine Inning Thriller

By Clint Cox


Photo Caption:
Bulldog 1st baseman Jon Sims #20 makes a grab at first base to send a Blue Devil back to the dugout. Sims had two big defensive plays in the bottom of the ninth inning to help Marianna hang on for a 3-2 win over Holmes Co. on Tuesday night. Photo by Clint Cox

BONIFAY – The Marianna Bulldog baseball team picked up their first district win of the season with a 3-2 win in extra innings against Holmes County on Tuesday night. Adam Bigale was the offensive hero of the night as the junior knocked in all three of the Bulldog runs, including the game winning run in the top of the ninth inning. The Bulldogs also had good pitching performances from starter Troy Clemmons and reliever Rhyne Elliott. Clemons went 5 1/3 innings before giving way to Elliott, who then finished the game.

Marianna jumped out to an early lead as Bigale’s two RBI single, in the top of the second inning scored Dustin Miller and Tyler Wilson. Meanwhile Clemmons held Holmes County scoreless through the first three innings. The Blue Devils chipped away at the Bulldog lead, plating a run in the fourth and fifth innings to tie the game. Elliott entered the game in the fifth and held the Blue Devils scoreless but the game remained tied 2-2 at the end of seven innings. Both teams were held scoreless in the eighth inning but in the top of the ninth Miller lead the inning off with a single. After getting two outs the Bulldog’s Brandon Gardner came up with a swinging bunt to reach first base safely. That moved Miller to second base and set up Bigale to be the hero with his game winning RBI single to score Miller. In the bottom of the ninth the Bulldogs had back to back outstanding defensive plays from first baseman Jon Sims to hang on for the victory.

Marianna improved to 8-2 on the season and 1-0 in district play. They will host Bainbridge on Thursday evening. Holmes County fell to 9-2 on the season and 0-1 in district play.