The Hit Factory Bulldawgs went to Dodgertown (Vero Beach, Florida) for the Labor Day Beach Bash. It was a long weekend filled with rain delay after rain delay and then a couple of lightning delays.

Saturday the team took the field for the first time since May with a few new additions; Bryce Hewell, Jaiden Gonzalez, Gabe Currier and Pierce Luttrell. Game #1 versus the EvoShield Florida was a brutal game. After an hour of play, the rain postponed the game until 9:30 p.m. that night. We lost 11-7 in a tough game. Game #2 versus the Evolution Elite was somewhat easier. Our bats were explosive and a strong pitching performance by Logan Gannon lead us to the win 13-2.

Sunday's games were just as explosive and even more nail biting. We needed to win both games to advance to Championship play on Monday. Game #3 versus the PGB Gamblers was exciting for the pitchers who got mound time. Solid defense and great hitting made the game easy, although there was an hour lightning delay, the Bulldawgs took the field for 1 pitch in the bottom of the 3rd inning to put it away 19-3. Game #4 versus the St. Lucy Mets Elite was by far the toughest team we faced all weekend. This was a come from behind victory with Reed Biemiller being surgical from the bump. Our bats never fell asleep, just a few hits right at defensive players. Eventually, we started getting the balls to drop and find gaps. Pierce Luttrell came up huge with a right field triple and that ignited the team to grind even more. We defeated the Mets Elite 7-6. A classy group of kids and coaches.

Monday was fun, but no less nail biting than the rest of the weekend. Game #5 (semi-Final) versus the Camden Rippers was a Hodge podge to say the least.... The Ripper swept through the other pool with 4 uncontested wins. They took the lead early and once again, the Bulldawgs grinded to grab the win 11-6. Gabe Currier, Cooper Crump and Pierce Luttrell pieced a terrific pitching performance together to keep the Ripper off balance and solid defense locked it up.

Game #6 (Championship) versus the Habana team was an edge of your seat match up. The Bulldawgs had to once again battle from behind early to take home the first championship of the 2017 Fall Season. This was a total team effort on both sides of the ball. The battery was especially important with 5 pitchers taking the mound (Pierce Luttrell, Bryce Hewell, Josiah Figueroa, Cam Medina, and Jacob Kirchner) and 3 different catchers bringing up the rear (Josiah Figueroa, Ryan Chase and Logan Gannon). It was a great victory for us out of the box, 9-7.

Greta job to all of the boys and thanks for continued support from the parents and other friends and family who joined us in South Florida.