LAPEL — Many of the players from Daleville’s 2016 state championship team have moved on. But they are still a confident team that, if given extra chances, will take advantage of mistakes. And the Lapel Bulldogs made plenty.
Two early Bulldog errors allowed two unearned runs to score and a late misplay paved the way for a third as Daleville edged Lapel 3-2 Monday, April 24.
The Broncos scored twice in the second inning after two errors loaded the bases with one out. A walk and a sacrifice fly followed to give Daleville (8-2) the early advantage.
Lapel (4-4) had precious few opportunities to score. They managed just three hits against freshman pitcher Evan Etchison. The Bulldogs plated one in the third on a two-out RBI single by senior John Sherwood.
The Broncos added an insurance run in the top of the seventh when, with runners at the corners and one out, the Bulldogs botched a rundown play on the double steal attempt, with TJ Price scoring for a 3-1 lead.
With Lapel students coming off prom weekend, coach Matt Campbell wasn’t sure how to explain the mental lapses he saw Monday evening.
“I hadn’t even thought about that,” he said. “I think it’s just communication. We got together and played as a team just one inning in that game, and that was the bottom of the seventh. That lack of communication really showed today.”
The Bronco run in the seventh proved to be huge when Cameron Holycross tripled to lead off the bottom of the inning for Lapel. He scored on Seth Baugh’s groundout, but Etchison retired the next two batters to finish off the Bulldogs.
One positive on the day was the return of junior pitcher Devan Frank, making his 2017 debut. He pitched four shutout innings, allowing five hits and striking out three, adding much needed depth to Campbell’s pitching staff.
“I’m very ecstatic about that,” Campbell said. “I’m very happy for him, he deserves it.”
The Bulldogs have a busy week ahead. They are scheduled to visit Muncie Central Thursday, April 27, play host to Cowan Friday, April 28; they will participate in the Heritage Christian Invitational Saturday, April 29.