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After three consecutive losses, the Dove Creek High School baseball team got back to its winning ways with an 8-6 victory over Ignacio on April 24. With the victory, the Bulldogs improved their record to 8-8 overall and 2-3 in the San Juan Basin League.<\/p>\n
Among the top performers at the plate for Dove Creek was senior Derek Kibel, who registered a hit, an RBI and two scored runs. Hayden Gray also enjoyed a solid day hitting the ball as the freshman smashed a double and drove in a run.<\/p>\n
Freshmen Branson Smith and Gage Bailey also had one hit and one RBI for the Bulldogs, who pulled ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning. After Ignacio scored two runs in the top of the third inning to take a one-run lead, Dove Creek returned the favor with two runs in the bottom of the third inning and carried a 3-2 lead into the fourth frame.<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs then scored five runs over the final three innings and secured the victory, thanks to Gray, who took the mound in relief and pitched one and two-thirds scoreless innings. Derek Kibel started on the mound for the Dove Creek and was credited with the win after allowing two runs over five and one-third innings.<\/p>\n
Dove Creek\u2019s eight wins this season represents a marked improvement over last season, when the Bulldogs failed to win a game and finished the season with a 0-19 overall record.<\/p>\n