Bulldogs On A Roll

Colby Johnson of Marianna strokes a RBI single for Marianna in their win over Chipley on Tuesday night. Johnson was 3-4 on the night with a home run and two RBI. Photo by Clint Cox

By Clint Cox

The Marianna Bulldogs have been pounding their opponents as of late, racking up 45 runs in their last four outings. The latest victim came on Tuesday night as the Bulldogs beat district rival Chipley 12-2 in five innings. Marianna scored five runs to start the game as Colby Johnson’s RBI single scored Austin Branch. After Marianna loaded the bases Chris Godwin’s grounder to third was mishandled and Clayte Rooks came home to score. Jaren Bannerman then stroked a 3 RBI double to score Johnson, Godwin and Alex Bigale. Chipley countered with two runs in their first at bat but Marianna went right back on the offensive in the second inning. Rooks and Johnson singled and both scored on a single by Zac Smith to make it 7-2. The Bulldogs made it 9-2 in the third inning when Bigale doubled and scored on a throwing error. Bannerman got his fourth RBI of the game with a single to score Godwin. The fourth inning was the final nail in the Chipley coffins as Johnson went deep over the left field fence for a solo home run. Dustin O’Hearn singled to score Smith and Jae Elliott singled to bring home O’Hearn. Left handed sophomore Michael Mader was the winning pitcher and after Chipley plated two runs in the first inning Mader settled down and held the Tigers in check for the remainder of the game.

On Monday night Marianna picked up another road with a 11-9 win over Seminole County (Georgia). The Bulldogs trailed 8-0 but rallied for the big win. The win against Seminoles County followed two wins by the Bulldogs this past weekend. On Friday they picked up a 10-7 district win over the Marlins of Arnold. Bigale was the winning pitcher and Mader picked up a save. Offensively Marianna was led by Bigale, Rooks and Smith who all had RBI doubles. Johnson and Smith followed with RBI singles.

On Saturday the Bulldogs traveled to Sneads and exploded for 10 runs in their final at bat to rally for a 12-3 win over the Pirates. Marianna trailed 3-0 through much of the game but got their bats going in the top of the seventh to thwart the upset by Sneads. Marianna will return to the diamond this coming Tuesday with a home contest at 6:30 pm against district powerhouse Pensacola Catholic.