The DeKalb West Bulldogs dominated post-season play last week, allowing only three runs in three games, while shutting out two teams, and leaving one team to forfeit a game. The Bulldogs went on to take the district championship. The team now moves on to sectionals.

On Monday, April 28, the Bulldogs hosted their first game, taking on Macon County. The low-scoring game would be decided in the first inning.

Pitcher Reed Midgett put Macon County three and out to start the game, then the Bulldogs went on to put runs on the board. After Midgett struck out looking, Keegan Taylor got a walk. Collin Donnell next stepped to the plate and doubled on a line drive to left field. Gavin Frazier then singled on a ground ball to the pitcher as Taylor crossed the plate, then Zander Simpson grounded out to short, but allowed Donnell to come home. DeKalb was up 2-0, and as it would turn out, that would be the last points of the game.

The game would go through four and a half innings, with the Bulldogs hanging on for the 2-0 victory. Midgett earned the win allowing four hits and zero runs over four and one-third innings, striking out six and walking one. Logan Gard collected the save.

The following day, the Bulldogs were again on their home field, this time facing off against the White County Warriors. DWS would dominate this game from the first batter.

After White County went three up, three down to start the game, Reed Midgett stepped to the plate to lead off the Bulldogs. On the first pitch, Midgett homered on a fly out of left field. It would be a sign of things to come.

Taylor reached on an error at short, then Donnell took an HBP. Frazier would load the bases with a walk, then Zander Simpson hit a double line drive to center as Taylor, Donnell, and Frazier each touched the plate.

Later, Brantley Brooks singled on a line drive to shortstop, sending Simpson home, then Hayden Quarles doubled on a line drive to left as Brooks scored. The Warriors got off the field, but the Bulldogs commanded a 6-0 lead.

The Bulldogs would add to their lead in the second inning, after a single line drive to left by Donnell, and later a walk by Simpson. Pyburn would ground out to short, but Donnell would come home, then Brooks singled on a fly to right, sending Simpson across the plate. DeKalb held a 8-0 lead.

It seemed as if the Bulldogs were on fire, and their next at bats would again increase their lead. Gard doubled on a fly to left, then Midgett doubled on a line drive to left as Gard scored. Later, Donnell singled on a hard grounder to short as Midgett crossed home. Simpson would later single on a line drive to left as Donnell scored. DWS was up 11-0.

DeKalb would top off their score in the fourth after Quarles started things off with a double line drive to left. Gard would single on a grounder to third, then it was Midgett’s turn at bat again. He doubled on a line drive to center as Quarles came home.

Later, Donnell popped out to center, but Gard was able to score, then Frazier singled on a grounder to short as Midgett scored. The Bulldogs held a 14-0 lead.

That is where the score would stay. White County had one last at bat, but the Bulldogs would hold on for the shutout. Pyburn earned the win from the mound, allowing two hits over three and two-third innings, striking out three and walking none. Gard threw one and one third innings.

On Wednesday, April 30, the Bulldogs faced their biggest test yet, taking on Upperman in what would turnout to be a 10-inning battle.

Upperman would get on the board first, scoring two runs at the top of the fourth inning.

The Bulldogs would take a one-run lead as they came to bat in the fourth. Taylor singled on a line drive to right, followed by a single for Donnell to short. Frazier would next ground into fielder’s choice at short, catching Donnell at second, but allowing Taylor to come home. Simpson would get a walk, then Pyburn doubled on a line drive to center as Frazier came home. Brooks then singled on a grounder to second, as Zayne Thomas, running for Simpson, touched the plate. DWS was on top, 3-2.

The lead wouldn’t last long, and at the top of the fifth, Upperman would tie the game. The game then became a battle from the mound and wouldn’t be decided until the bottom of the 10th.

Donnell singled on a grounder to third, then Frazier got an easy trip to first with a walk. Simpson would next ground into a double play at second, catching he and Frazier, but with Donnell taking third. Pyburn then stepped to the plate, and singled on a line drive to right, sending Donnell home for the hard-fought 4-3 victory.

Whether to save their pitchers for sectionals, or for some other reason, the second-place Upperman Bees would forfeit the Friday championship game, giving the title to the DeKalb Bulldogs.