Point After: Bulldogs Control Their Own Destiny
ASHBURN, VA - Wednesday marked the beginning of a new era for the Stone Bridge Bulldog baseball program after beating the Madison Warhawks for the first time in school history. With the win, the Bulldogs proved themselves to be the true top team in the Liberty District. It was a hard fought victory, in which the Bulldogs won by a slim margin in a 2-1 triumph. However, this was not just an ordinary victory for them.
"We did our thing out there, and now we can finally say we are the top dogs in the Liberty District," said Patrick Thompson, who had a single on the night and was also hit by a pitch.
Indeed the top dogs they are, as the Bulldogs now hold a 2 game lead over the Warhawks. As stated before, this was the first time in school history that Stone Bridge was able to prove victorious over the Warhawks, the team that has dominated the Liberty District this decade.
"This definitely feels great," left fielder Johnny Bladel said after his team stormed the diamond in celebration.
Both pitchers, Ty Weaver for the Bulldogs, and Andrew Schrock for the Warhawks, pitched great games, both only giving up three runs and 11 hits combined. Schrock gave up two runs in the first inning, but from that point on, he threw a shutout. However, Weaver was able to hold the Warhawks to one run, and proved to be just a little too much for the Warhawk lineup.
"I just kept trying to keep my pitches low and away. But when it came down to it, all I was hoping for were strikes and outs, and I guess I was able get it done," said Weaver, who pitched 6 1/3 innings for the Bulldogs in their historic win.
The victory for the Bulldogs also marks the end of the first half of the district schedule, a schedule that so far, the Bulldogs have swept.
"I'm really excited for the rest of our season, and hopefully we can stay at this pace the rest of the way," said Weaver.
The Bulldogs have a virtual 3 game lead on the Warhawks when you factor in the head to head tie breaker. However, the Bulldogs are nowhere near out of the woods as they will face McLean Friday, followed by key matchups with WT Woodson at home, then visits to Langley and Madison to finish off the last week of the season.
"We can't lose our focus," said Thompson. "This is obviously a great win, but we still have half of our district schedule to go."
For the first time since the Bulldogs joined the Liberty District, fate may be on the Bulldogs' side, and they hope to capitalize on the opportunity that has been laid in front of them. While hard tests do indeed remain for the Bulldogs, they are more ready than ever to take them on.
"I can't wait for the rest of season," said Bladel.
