Bulldog first baseman Sheridan Sumpter #25 awaits a throw from pitcher Becca Bramlage #24 to get out of a jam in the fifth inning. Third baseman Janello Fiso #22 intently watched the throw to first base. Photo by Lou Martin

Bulldog first baseman Sheridan Sumpter #25 awaits a throw from pitcher Becca Bramlage #24 to get out of a jam in the fifth inning. Third baseman Janello Fiso #22 intently watched the throw to first base. Photo by Lou Martin

Normally a team that allows nine runs total in two out of the last three innings goes down in defeat. That was not the case with the Virgin Valley High School Lady Bulldogs as they rallied to score two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to defeat the Cowboys from Chaparral High School 14-13 in the Dawg Pound. Xochitl Quintero came home on a wild pitch to score the winning run.

The Cowboys scored early with run in the top of the first inning to take a lead of 1-0. The Dawgs came back scoring four runs on only one hit an RBI single off the bat of Kaycee Anderson to take a 4-1 lead. Starting pitcher Becca Bramlage struck out two Cowboys in the second inning to shut down Chaparral. The Cowboys rallied for three runs in the top of the third inning to tie the game. Two walks and two errors by the Dawgs contributed to the Cowboy rally. Not to be denied, the Bulldogs took back the lead in their half of the inning 7-4, the big blow a double by Bramlage. The Dawgs added a run in the fourth to increase their lead to 8-4 after four innings of play. The Cowboys came to life in the top of the fifth regaining the lead at 9-8 with five big runs. The Cowboys were aided by Bulldog pitcher Bramlage’s loss of control. Bramlage walked six batters and hit another which accounted for most of the scoring. The Cowboys short lived lead disappeared in the bottom of the fifth inning as the Bulldogs regained the lead with two runs on two walks and a single by Amber Sandoval. The Dawgs added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 12-9 lead into the last inning. Mikayla Brotherson’s single and Janella Fiso’s double sparked the small rally. Things looked dire for the Lady Dawgs in the seventh as Bramlage gave up a walk, a bunt single and a pass ball error to load the bases for the Cowboys with one out. The Cowboys scored on a single which drove in two runs and added two more runs on a fielder’s choice and three walks. Now it was up to the Bulldogs who trailed 13-12 to make their final statement on an exciting game. McKenna Fielding began the inning with a single, Sandoval was hit by the pitcher, Maggie Dobbs, walked loading the bases with no outs. Emma Barnum came through with an RBI single tying the game at 13-13. Quintero ran for Sandoval and scored on a wild pitch giving the Dawgs the victory by a score of 14-13. Brotherson continued her hot bat with a double and a single to lead the Bulldogs. Bramlage had a complete game win and struck out nine Cowboys.

The Lady Dawgs record now stands at 3-3 in league play.