Truedogs place first in 'Bash in the 'Boro'

Members of the Truedogs baseball team are, from left, kneeling: Ethan Conway, Philip Reider, Walker Stewart, Devin Lawton and Will Bragg; and standing: Eddie Conway, Joel Collins, Chandler Johnson, Brandon Johnson, Aaron Comstock, Will Brinson, Spencer Clark and Austin Peel. (Photo contributed)

Fighting extreme temperatures in the triple digits, the Truedogs baseball team emerged as the top dog in USSSA Baseball's "Bash in the 'Boro" Saturday, Aug. 4, and Sunday, Aug. 5, at Statesboro's Mill Creek Park.

After finishing 1-1 on Saturday, the Truedogs fought their way to a 3-0 victory over the Red Claws of Brunswick Sunday afternoon. Then they found themselves "back in the cage" with the Thrashers of Swainsboro, a team that whipped them 11-5 on Saturday. Paying no attention to their scars, the Truedogs plated eight runs by the third inning, on their way to an 8-3 victory in the championship game.

In the tournament, Ethan Conway batted .500, had six RBIs and four runs scored. Austin Peel finished with a .500 BA, six RBIs and one run scored. Will Brinson hit .400, scoring one run. Will Bragg had two RBIs and a .375 BA. Devin Lawton swiped two bases and batted .333, while Joel Collins led in stolen bases with three, batting .250. Walker Stewart belted a triple, driving in two in Sunday's championship game, and Philip Reider scored three runs on two hits. Chandler Johnson drove in two "big" runs with a double in the Truedogs' 3-0 victory Sunday. Spencer Clark ripped two doubles in the tournament, and Brandon Johnson moved two runners into scoring position with a sac bunt in Saturday's 4-1 victory. Aaron Comstock finished with one stolen base and one run scored.

The pitching was outstanding. Collins threw two innings. Chandler Johnson had 4 Ks in two innings and Reider had eight Ks in four innings. Comstock rung up five, in five innings' work. Bragg finished with a 1.40 ERA after five innings. Conway worked seven innings in the Truedogs' championship game, carving out a 0.87 ERA for the tournament.