Pitching clears way for PHS to make third round debut

By Staff
Staff Reports, Hartselle Enquirer
Behind the pitching of senior Dustin Hamilton, the Priceville Bulldogs have reached the third round of the 2A-state baseball playoffs for the first time.
Hamilton won the Bulldogs' opening round game against West End-Walnut Grove by a 4-3 count and then won the decisive game of Priceville's three-game series with Hatton, 5-2. The two wins upped his record to 10-1 this season.
The Bulldogs take a 24-12 record into their third-round series at Phil Campbell this weekend.
Priceville 4, West End 3
The Bulldogs used the long-ball to advance to the next round of the playoffs. Senior Dale Taylor smashed a two-run homer and Rand Hutchison had a solo shot to lead the Priceville hitting attack.
Priceville's Hamilton struck out 10 and threw a complete game and allowed only four hits and two earned runs.
Priceville 7, Hatton 3
Justin Crowe threw and hit the Bulldogs past the Hornets in the opening game of their second-round series.
Crowe threw a complete game allowing only five hits, while he had two hits at the plate and scored one run.
Crowe struck out two batters and collected two singles as the Bulldogs won for the 23rd time in 35 games.
Dale Taylor had three hits and drove in five runs. Taylor homered in his second straight postseason game, this time knocking a two-run shot for a 5-0 Bulldog lead.
A third game was needed to decide the series as Hatton won game two, 10-4.
Priceville 5, Hatton 2
Hamilton won his second playoff game in two starts with a 11-stirkeout, eight-hit gem in which he allowed only one earned run.
At the plate, Lance Hughes hit a solo home run and Dustin Chambers added a two-run shot to lead the attack.