The Coahoma Bulldogs faced Midland Classical Academy on opening night
It was Opening Night for the Coahoma Bulldog Baseball team this Tuesday, Feb 23.
The Bulldogs would take on Midland Classical Academy. The game would take place at the Bulldogs' home field.
Kobe Cervantes would take the mound for the Coahoma bulldogs to start the 2021 season. Cervantes was throwing heat from the first pitch of the game; The bulldog had a very efficient first inning of work, striking out two and only allowing one run. It was now time for the Bulldogs to have their turn at the plate. Billy Baily would lead off the game by taking a walk. Two batters later, Kobe Cervantes would come to the plate and drive in the first run of Coahoma's season. That tied the game at 1 to 1. Nick Gonzales would take a base on balls, as would the next batter Billy Star. With the bases loaded, it would be Bryan Martinez who stepped into the box and knocked in a 3run bases-clearing double, increasing the lead to 4 to 1 after the first inning.
Cervantes would return the mound in the second, enjoying the benefit of a three-run lead. He had a tremendous 2nd inning of work, keeping Midland Classical swinging and missing as he would strike out the side. The Bulldogs would pick up right where they left off with the bats. They would match the scoring from the first inning by again scoring four runs stretching the lead to 8 to 1 after two innings.
The third inning would go much like the first two for the Bulldogs pitcher as Cervantes would once again not allow a run to cross the plate. The Bulldogs would end the third inning keeping the same score of 8 to 1.
The fourth inning would be Cervantes last inning of work, and he would keep his momentum rolling, not giving up a run once again. The Bulldog pitcher would finish the night with four innings pitched, Striking out eight on the night. The Bulldogs failed to add to the total in the bottom of the fourth, carrying a lead of 8 to 1 into the fifth.
As the fifth inning began, Midland Classical worked the walks and got men on base. The walks turned out to be costly for the Bulldogs. Midland would score six runs in the inning, closing the gap to a 7 to 8 lead for the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs kept trying showing effort and determination but would end the inning maintaining a one-run lead.
To start the sixth, the bulldogs would settle down, getting through the first two batters of the inning.
Unfortunately, Midland would once again push over a run tying the game at eight all. The Bulldogs would get their chance in the bottom of the sixth; they would be able to get a runner on but could not push him across the plate. Keeping the game tied up at eight.
Both teams would head into the seventh inning, knowing that the game was in the balance. The Bulldogs were not going to give up the young team showing the grit and determination you have grown accustomed to if you are a Bulldog fan. Coahoma would not give up a run, leaving a chance to win the game heading into the bottom of the seventh. The Bulldogs would do a great job making the pitcher work extra hard in the seventh, but they could not get a runner on, and the inning would end with a tie score of 8 to 8.
This would mean that it was on to extra innings to find out who would win this game. Heading into the eighth inning, it was Midland who was able to get a runner on. That runner would eventually go on to steal home plate. That steal of home would go on to be the game-winner for Midland Classical Academy. Even though the result may not have been what the Bulldogs would have wanted, it was a learning experience for the young team. I am sure the young men on this team will rebound and have a fantastic season in front of them.