Decatur loses to Hackett in final 2A-4 West game

DECATUR — The Decatur Bulldog baseball and softball teams traveled to Hackett to participate in their final 2A-4 West district tournament before moving to the 1A conference next year.

The Bulldog baseball team met the J.C. Westside Rebels in the first round of the tournament April 28. Decatur needed a win to get an automatic bid to the regional tournament.

Decatur’s last meeting was April 6 at Edmiston ball field when the Rebels handed the Bulldogs their first defeat of the season, 24-2.

Westside scored four runs in the first three innings, while Decatur failed to bring any runners home. In the top of the fourth, the Bulldogs scored their first run, still trailing the Rebels 4-1.

In the bottom of the fourth, Westside scored two more runs, taking a 6-1 lead. Westside scored two in the bottom of the sixth; Decatur scored one. Westside ended Decatur’s hope of advancing to the second round of the tournament with an 8-2 win.

The Bulldogs finish the regular season 3-4 in conference and 4-7 overall, and 0-1 in tournament play for a fifth-place finish in the 2A-4 West.

The Decatur fast-pitch softball team met the Mountainburg Dragons in the first round of the 2A-4 West tournament April 28.

Mountainburg held Decatur scoreless to take a 10-0 victory and advance to the second round. For the Lady Bulldogs, the season ended with a 1-5 conference record and 1-6 overall for a sixth-place finish in the district ahead of Eureka Springs.

The Decatur softball team is young, made up of mainly freshman and sophomores. Cameron Shaffer will return for her final season at the plate for the Bulldogs. Shaffer and other experienced players, such as Celine Prelle, have taken the younger players under their wings and instilled their knowledge in each. With this experience, combined with the coach- ing of Ann Wilkins and Jeff Melton, next year promises to be stronger and brighter for the Decatur Bulldog softball team. The entrance into the 1A conference will be a real adventure for both the team and its fans.

For the Decatur baseball team, this was one of the best finishes in several seasons and the best since Jason Porter, baseball coach, took over the program three years ago. As this season progressed, the players gained valuable game experience and knowledge. By the end of the season, the team took the field with confidence and a genuine love of the game that will carry over into the next several seasons.