The DeKalb West School Bulldogs took to the road last week, playing two games while a third had to be cancelled due to bad weather. Both of the Bulldogs' games would be decided by fifth inning heartbreakers.

On Monday, March 8, the Bulldogs traveled to Avery Trace where DeKalb would take the lead early on. Tucker Webb singled on line drive to center field, then Ty Webb and Luke Midgett walk. With bases loaded, Tucker Webb scored off of a wild pitch as Ty Webb advanced to third. Then pinch runner Ben Driver scored on a passed ball before it was Avery Traces' turn at bat.

Avery Trace would manage one run in the first inning off of an error by catcher Ty Webb.

The score would remain 2-1 until the bottom of the fourth when Avery Trace would tie the game. After the Bulldogs went three and out, AT doubled on a line drive to center field. The next play, a single to shortstop Devin Fish ended up with a run by AT.

With the game tied at two all, it all came down to the fifth inning. Things looked promising for DWS after Fish walked, then Tucker Webb is hit by a pitch. With two on base, Ty Webb flied out to centerfield, then Tyler Jackson bunted into a fielder's choice double play. Fish was out at home, then Webb out at third.

In the bottom of the fifth, with one out, AT hits a ground ball and reaches on an error by Fish. The next batter bunts out to the pitcher, Kirby, as they advance to second. The next play, a line drive to right fielder Jordan Parker resulted in the game winning run. Avery Trace took the 3-2 win.

Parker threw for the Bulldogs, pitching 3.1 innings, with three hits, two runs, one error, two walks and five strikeouts. Dallas Kirby came in relief, with one hit, one run, and one strikeout.

On Thursday, March 11, the Bulldogs were again on the road, this time facing off against Algood Middle School. DWS would fall behind early, but would mount a comeback in the fifth inning.

The Bulldogs went three and out to start the game, then on a two and two count Algood singled on a line drive to right fielder Logan Duke. The next batter grounded out to pitcher Tyler Jackson, but the runner advanced to second. The next batter doubled on a hard ground ball to left fielder Andrew Dakas as the first runner scored. The next batter hit a fly ball and reached on an error by Dakas as the second runner scored. The next two batters the Bulldogs would finally get off the field, but Algood was up 2-0.

DWS had its chances to get into the game early. At the top of the second, Ty Webb singled on a line drive to centerfield, then Jackson is walked. Luke Johnson would go down swinging, then Wesley Kent is walked. With the bases loaded, Midgett struck out swinging, then flied out to second base.

Algood would do no better until the bottom of the third. They would get a runner on with an error, then with two outs, a double to shortstop Kirby would get their runner home. Algood was up 3-0.

The Bulldogs would again go three and out at the top of the fourth, then, with two outs, Algood would get a runner on base with a single on a hard ground ball to left field. The runner would steal second, with two strikes on the next batter, then a line drive to center drove the runner home. As the fourth came to an end, Algood was up 4-0.

Things looked bleak for the Bulldogs as they entered the fifth inning, but DeKalb was not about to give up. Parker would fly out to shortstop at his time at bat, then Fish singled on a grounder to shortstop. Duke was next at bat and was walked, then, as Kirby came to bat, Fish stole third as Duke advanced to second. Kirby would fly out to shortstop.

Ty Webb was next up to bat, and reached on an error by left field, as Fish and Duke scored. DWS was finally on the board, 4-2.

Jackson was up next and singled on a ground ball to left field. He would advance to second on the throw as Webb touched home plate. DWS had cut the lead to one.

In the end the Bulldogs' momentum came too late. Johnson would go down swinging, giving Algood the 4-3 victory.

Tyler Jackson pitched the whole game for the Bulldogs, with seven hits, four runs, two errors, one walk and four strikeouts.

The Bulldogs' game scheduled for Saturday against York had to be cancelled due to rain. Their next game is scheduled for March 19, at home against Smith County.