Truedogs settle for second in playoffs

Members of the Truedogs baseball team are, from left, kneeling: Joseph Hall, Ethan Conway, Justin Johnson, Joseph Hall and Will Bragg; and standing: David Burke, Devin Lawton, Austin Peel, Trevor Weathersby, Chandler Johnson, Aaron Comstock, Garret Hodges, Bart Dutton and Eddie Conway. (Photo contributed)

Truedogs 16U Baseball "hunkered down" in USSSA's Fall State Playoffs held at Statesboro's Mill Creek Park Saturday, Oct. 13, and Sunday, Oct. 14.

After losing Saturday's opener 7-4, the Truedogs rebounded with a 3-2 win to enter Sunday's championship round one-and-one.

After opening the championship round with an 8-4 victory over the Dublin Vipers, the Truedogs once again were in a fight for the top spot. Up 2-0 after four innings, the Truedogs could not finish off a stubborn Hilton Head Panthers team, and eventually settled for second place, losing 10-3.

Justin Johnson led the Truedogs in slugging with a .545 batting average, two doubles, five RBIs and five runs scored. Aaron Comstock hit .500 with one triple, a double, three RBIs and three runs scored. Portal's Bart Dutton saw a .428 batting average, one RBI and a stolen base.

Trevor Weathersby was close behind hitting .416 with four runs scored, one RBI and three stolen bases. Austin Peel had a .333 batting average and two stolen bases; he scored one and drove in one. Garret Hodges of Portal had one RBI and batted .283. Chandler Johnson had three singles and a .272 batting average. Ethan Conway made the most of a .250 batting average, driving in four runs. ECI's Kade Lee battled .250 and scored two runs.

A whole pack of Truedogs saw pitching action including Johnathan Long, Joseph Hall of Savannah, Peel and Weathersby, all who threw well in Saturday's round. Will Bragg threw four innings shutout ball in the tournament. Comstock was scoreless though four innings in Sunday's championship game before surrendering the mound in the fifth. Conway threw seven innings, while yielding just one earned run in the tournament.

The Truedogs hope to come out on top again Saturday, Nov. 10, and Sunday, Nov. 11, Diamond Lakes' Third Annual Wood Bat Championship.