Bulldogs race past Thoroughbreds

Justin Rebholz slides into second base during the third inning of Crestview's win over Harrison County on Monday.

CRESTVIEW — Led by Roman Donofro's two-hit shutout the Crestview High School baseball team rolled to a 10-0 win over Harrison County Kent., on Monday.

The game was called in the sixth inning on the 10-run rule as the Bulldogs rolled to their sixth-consecutive win.

Donofro had the batters from the Blue Grass State singing the Blues as he struck out 10 in picking up the complete game win. The Thoroughbreds managed just five base runners on two hits, a walk a hit batter and a Bulldog error.

Crestview (14-4) provided Donofro with all the run support he would need with a three-run first inning.

Seth Thomason, who went 2-for-3 with a double, triple, two runs scored and three runs batted in, had the big blow of the inning. Thomason delivered a two-run double to score Tyler Henderson and Corey Armstrong.

Thomason scored on an Austin Armstrong base hit.

"Would put together some good at bats," Bulldog coach Tim Gillis said. "We had some RBI opportunities and took advantage of them and that's really the name of the game. We've been swinging the bats well the last week or so and I thought we continued that tonight.

"Roman was very good tonight. He was sharp and he's been good all year."

Crestview might have done more damage if Dakota Dean had not been thrown out at home plate for the first out of the inning as Corey Armstrong reached on a fielder's choice.

When the Bulldogs added a run in the seconds inning as Tate Sweatt reached on an error and scored on a Hunter Sullivan single, Harrison County starting pitcher Jordan Martin was done for the night, but not before picking up the loss.

The Bulldogs made it 6-0 with two runs in the third inning. Hunter Willis had a two-run single scoring Justin Rebholz and courtesy runner P.J. Grainger.

Corey Armstrong was hit by a pitch to lead off the Bulldog fourth and scored on Thomason's triple. Thomason scored as Austin Armstrong grounded out to short stop for the inning.

Gillis went to his bench in the fifth and sixth innings bringing in pinch-hitters for every batter.

Corbin Carroll led of the sixth with a single up the middle and moved to third on a Preston Bass double. Carroll scored on a Drew Graham groundout and Bass scored on a wild pitch to end the game.

Gillis hopes the Bulldogs will be able to keep the momentum as they prepare for the district tournament that starts April 22.

"We have to keep pressing and get focused in on what is going to happen in three weeks," he said. "Every day is a process to get to that point. It's going to be a war in the district tournament and we want to play every game like it's a playoff atmosphere for us.

"We wanted to get on a good roll. We didn't play too well at Fort Walton Beach a few weeks ago and I challenged them the next day at practice and they really answered the bell and rallied together as a group and that's what it takes. We've got a long way to go, and we want to keep staying positive and keep getting better and that's the name of the game."

Randy Dickson is the Crestview News Bulletin’s sports editor. Email him at randyd@crestviewbulletin.com, tweet him @BigRandle, or call 682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Bulldogs race past Thoroughbreds