Published: March 06, 2007 07:28 pm      

Dogs drop district opener

The Dogs dropped their district opener to the Bradford County Tornadoes 6-0 Feb. 27 in Starke. Suwannee fell to 4-2, 1-1 in District 3-4A.

All the breaks this day belonged to Bradford, as all five runs scored off senior right-hander Daniel Tillman (2-1) were of fortunate and timely circumstances. Four of the runs were earned. Two singles, which accounted for four runs, were off good pitches, noted Suwannee coach Vernon Wiggins. The fifth run scored on a line-drive single at second baseman Dalton Wigelsworth, blinded by the late afternoon sun.

The Bulldogs had a chance to seize control early but couldn’t capitalize. Suwannee stranded two runners in the first and junior shortstop Mike Staley singled and reached third with one out in the second, only to see the inning end with two strikeouts. Suwannee also left a pair on base in the third.

“Bradford took advantage of their scoring opportunities and we did not,” said Wiggins. That was the difference. And an indication of just how closely matched the teams in District 3-4A are this season.

A bright spot for Suwannee is the play of junior Ty Smith, noted Wiggins. Smith is four for his last five at the plate, including the game winner against Santa Fe, and seems to have regained command of his fine curve ball on the mound. Smith “could be a factor” in the pitching rotation as the Dogs begins the middle third of their schedule, said Wiggins.