LARAMIE – The Lady Bulldogs are in the midst of an extended away schedule and are proving to be able to win on the road.
“We had some great outings from both the Junior Varsity and Varsity teams this past week,” Jodie Fitzwater, head coach said. “The teams continue to grow and improve each outing.”
To start off this past week’s action, the Bulldog junior varsity team traveled to Laramie and played a double header against the Plainsmen JV team. In the first game, the Bulldogs took the high-scoring game from the Plainsmen with a score of 11-6.
Wheatland got things moving in the first inning taking advantage of a wild pitch and scoring on the passed ball.
“They continued gaining momentum with each inning with their bats and aggressive base running,” Fitzwater said. “The team racked up 8 hits on the day and they had nine stolen bases in all with Allison Blum leasing the team with 2. Tatum Struble was on the mound for the Bulldogs and she surrendered 6 runs on three hits and struck out three.”
During the second game, the Bulldog JV lost the game to the Plainsmen JV after a late inning rally by Laramie. The Bulldogs stayed in it until the end, but the Plainsmen pulled away with an 8-7 victory. The game was tied at seven with Laramie batting in the bottom of the fourth when they singled on a 3-2 count, scoring one run.
Despite the loss, the Bulldogs out-hit the Plainsmen 12 to 8. On Thursday, April 13, the Wheatland Lady Bulldogs Varsity traveled to Torrington to play against Cheyenne South. The Cheyenne South Bison have five players from Torrington traveling and playing on their team this year. The head coach asked if Wheatland would be willing to play in Torrington for this match up so that those players could play in front of their hometown one time this season.
“We were more than willing to accommodate,” Fitzwater said. “We loved being able to support these players. We took the field with a new look by wearing new uniforms that were purchased recently from generous sponsors in the community.”
During the first of two games, the Bulldogs weathered a scare by South’s Varsity when the Bison scored 5 runs in the first inning. The Bulldogs did not lay down but instead they continued to have a strong offensive onslaught by gaining three runs in the second and then continuing on throughout the remainder of the game to earn the victory with a score of 18-8. The Bulldogs collected 12 hits for the game with Rylee Coates, Camryn Mickelsen, and Mackenzie Lockman all collecting multiple hits.
Additionally, the bulldogs stole 11 bases during the game with Hunter Sisson leading the way with three. Lockman pitched for Wheatland and earned the victory. She surrendered eight runs on 13 hits over seven innings, striking out four.
During the second game, Wheatland secured the victory thanks to eight runs in the first inning. The Bulldog batters contributing to the big inning included Lockman, Karley Adams, Kierstyn Coller, and Mickelsen. Additionally in the first inning, Lockman hit her first career grand slam including leading the team by going 2-for-2 at the plate.
Delaney Aurich was the winning pitcher for the Bulldogs, lasting two innings, allowing seven hits and three runs while striking out three. Struble pitched the remaining three innings, allowing four hits, zero runs, and striking out four.
The Lady Bulldogs will be on the road again for all three of their upcoming games. On Tuesday, April 18, the Bulldog junior varsity team will travel to play Cheyenne South at 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. On Thursday, April 20, the Bulldog Varsity team will travel to Gillette to play Thunderbasin’s Varsity at 3:00 and 5:00 and then will play Campbell County’s Varsity on Friday at 3:00 and 5:00.
“The Lady Bulldogs currently are appreciative of their best conference appearance since the team started,” Fitzwater said. “The players continue to grow as a team and put forth a strong effort each and every game. They are learning to rely on each other as well as push each other to be better as individuals and more importantly as a team.”
