Wind was a huge factor as the Clarkdale Bulldogs took down the Europa Eagles twice in the best-of-three games.

    In Game 1 the Bulldogs crushed the Eagles 16-2.

    The game started with Europa’s Lindsey Williamson scoring a run giving the Eagles the early lead of 1-0 in the top of the first inning.

    The Bulldogs got right to work starting with two walks.The Bulldogs then scored a run by Sarah Harris. The Bulldogs would get two more girls, Lauren Thrash and Kennedy Castleberg, to home plate bringing the first inning to an end with the Bulldogs up 3-1.

    The Bulldogs would come back to the plate after keeping the Lady Eagles from scoring any runs only to score 7 runs of their own pushing their lead to 10-1 at the end of the second.

    Pitching was a major issue for the Eagles, walking eight Bulldogs during the first game. In the top of the third, the Eagles called on Hannah McDowell to bring Lindsey Williamson home to bring the score 10-2.

    That would be the last run that the Eagles would score in this game.

    As for the Bulldogs, they would score six more runs, four of those off a grand slam by Thrash, to end the game in the middle of the fifth inning with a score of 16-2.

    Game2 began with Clarkdale hoping to get another big win to end the series early. They would do just that by winning the second game 7-2.

    Clarkdale started the game scoring a run by Harris giving the Bulldogs the early lead 1-0. The Eagles stopped the Bulldogs from scoring any more runs and in the bottom half of the inning, scored a run by Kately Rodgers tying the game 1-1.

    Clarkdale would come back to the plate hitting three singles and bringing home Molly McCloud after loading the bases. This would put the Bulldogs back on top at the end of the second.

    The Eagles would score one more time in the game, during the third inning, by Katelyn Rodgers. The Bulldogs would rally up and produce a total of five more runs ending the second game with a final score of 7-2.

    The Bulldogs will stay alive and continue their quest for a state title.

    “We won two and get to advance, I was not impressed with our performance, though, and it will be a lot harder Tuesday I’m sure,” were Bulldogs’ coach Rick Roberson comments. “We are looking forward to the challenge. We get to play for the South State championship again and we always look forward to the opportunity.”

    The Bulldogs will head to Enterprise this Tuesday.

    “We are going to play a lot harder and a lot better,” added Roberson. “We need to focus and fix our spotty defense.”