DOGS SLOWLY AWAKE VS METS, IMPROVE TO 6-2
5/15/2008

Maplewood, NJ- The Bulldogs (6-2) rolled into Maplewood Memorial Park for one game vs the Clifton Mets (1-10) for a late afternoon game. The Mets nearly forfeited the game, but after some cooperation from the league office, got two loaners from the Bulldogs to start and play the game in its entirety. With the 95 degree heat beating down upon everybody, it certainly wasnt a comfortable game temp.
The Bulldogs sent Joe Fugarino and coach Tim Ritchie to the Mets to play the game. Both of them played outfield, and made no errors. Both players took their cuts at the dish, put the ball in play... and appeared to put some pressure on their teammates to make plays.
The Bulldogs jumped ahead early in the first, with a bomb to left center from maplewood native, Jesse Boles. In the 3rd inning, rookie Matt Scarnatti drove a 2 run double to left field to put the dogs up 4-0. The Mets would fight back in the 5th inning, scoring 3 runs offBulldogs starter Tim Franklin. Franklin would settle down, and coast through the next inning. Scarnatti would make his season debut on the mound, and showed some good velocity and some decent control. He allowed 1 run thru 2 frames, and struck out 2 batters. James O'Hanlon closed the game out for the club.

Some positives to point out here. The Bulldogs infield turned 2 double plays, one which ended the ballgame. The errors were to a minimum, and there was some quality pitching performances from Franklin, Scarnatti, and OHanlon. Scarnatti added 3 hits in his first game.

The Bulldogs look to next weekend, where they will face the Clippers and Kingsbridge Angels.