Seven wins flips Lex record

Monday night, the Lexington Bulldogs picked up another win with their 12-1 victory over Comanche.

They collected 10 hits, including two from Drew Dierking, James McMillan and Logan Carroll. Zeke Faulkenberry, Colby Haynes, Skylar Rollins and Hunter Olson had one apiece.

“I knew the first week of the schedule would be tough. So we made it through that and the guys are gelling as a team and we’re putting the ball in play more,” head coach Matt Dierking said.

The Bulldogs got on board in the first inning with four runs. Their first two came from a McMillan single that scored a run and a Comanche error that scored another.

Lexington added three runs in the fourth.

Their five-run fifth inning was thanks to a Haynes triple, a Dierking single, a McMillan double and an error.

Dierking was on the mound for four and two-thirds innings. He struck out six and gave up just one run on three hits.

Haynes came on in relief for the final out.

That win moves their record to 8-6.

They were scheduled to host Comanche on Tuesday night and be in Dibble for a tournament starting Thursday.

The Bulldogs play Latta at 3 p.m. today (Thursday) in their first game.

I-35 Classic Champions

Prior to the I-35 Classic, the Lexington Bulldogs had a 1-6 record. They rattled off four wins in the tournament, including an 8-4 victory over Velma in the championship game.

“We played great team baseball. I think this weekend showed us that we can win close games. Hopefully it gives us confidence going forward,” Matt Dierking said.

Senior Rollins finished the tournament with six hits, including five doubles and a homerun.

“Skylar was hitting the ball well the whole time. He was intentionally walked twice in the Pauls Valley game.”

According to the coach, the Bulldogs also had good command on the mound.

Against Pauls Valley, senior Drew Dierking went six innings and gave up just two earned runs on four hits. He had 10 strikeouts.

In their championship game win over Velma, Rollins allowed two earned runs on seven hits and had five strikeouts.

Ryan Johnson came on in relief and closed out the game, getting the final two outs on just 12 pitches.

Buddy Cormany was clutch in both the Dickson and Pauls Valley wins, getting game-winning hits for the Bulldogs.

“Our first two games were comeback wins and I really think that gave the guys confidence for the rest of the tournament. Those wins got them going,” Matt Dierking said.

The Bulldogs then picked up a 10-2 win over Wynnewood and a 14-2 win over the OKC Mets on March 19.

Wynnewood

Drew Dierking amassed 11 strikeouts in the 10-2 win over Wynnewood.

He pitched five innings and gave up two runs on four hits.

Fellow senior Rollins led his team at the plate with four hits. McMillan finished the game with two hits.

Wynnewood’s six errors in the game led to six Lexington runs.

OKC Mets

Lexington got a 14-2 run-rule win over the OKC Mets.

The Mets jumped out 2-0 in the top of the first inning.

But, Lexington answered with five runs in the bottom half.

The Bulldogs pushed eight more runs across in the second inning. Drew Dierking doubled to score two runs, McMillan singled to score one run, Johnson doubled to score two more, Faulkenberry doubled to score two and finally Haynes doubled to score one.

Lexington added one more run in the third to seal the run-rule.

Johnson was on the mound for the win, where he struck out six batters.

He also finished the game with a team-high five ribbies. Faulkenberry had three.