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Bulldogs endure first baseball loss
The Stone Bridge Bulldogs went down in defeat to the Thomas Johnson Patriots 5-2 Saturday afternoon in Ashburn. The non-district loss is the Bulldogs' first blemish on the season.The Patriots opened the game with a two-run opposite field homer by Brandon Kline off Stone Bridge starter Nick Fialdini, who took the loss, giving up five runs in three innings.
The Bulldogs responded with a run in the second inning when Matt Irwin lined a single down the left field line, scoring Mike Stancik from second base.
The squad from Frederick, Md., came right back with three more runs in the third. Kline doubled home Danny Foit, who had reached on shortstop Stancik's fielding error. A groundout and a sacrifice fly produced the other two Patriot runs.
"They always play us tough," said Bulldog coach Sam Plank of Thomas Johnson. "[Coach Jim Foit] does a great job with his program."
Mike Palmer, a sidewinding right-handed pitcher, held Thomas Johnson scoreless for the final four frames. But the Bulldogs were unable to push runs across despite numerous chances. Stone Bridge, recipients of seven walks and two hit-batsmen, stranded 11 runners on base for the game.
"That's what happens when you strike out," Plank said, noting the 10 punchouts his batters accumulated. "We had our opportunities. We just didn't get the big hit."
For Thomas Johnson, lefty junkballer Matt Conway and righty fastballer Frank Zier combined to allow one earned run on four Bulldog hits.
Irwin collected two of those hits, stealing a base and notching an RBI in the effort.
"He's a scrappy guy," said Plank of his senior center fielder. "He plays the game the right way, and he's having a good year for us."
Stone Bridge falls to 8-1 on the season, having defeated fellow Liberty District member South Lakes 10-0 Friday night in Reston.
After the game, Plank was already looking toward the Bulldogs' remaining schedule.
"Monday's the most important practice of the year, getting ready for the rest of the Liberty District games," he said.
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