The Quitman Bulldogs lost big at home Tuesday, Feb. 27, 19-2 in five innings to the Alba-Golden Panthers.

The Bulldogs had a rough start as the Panthers were on fire offensively, scoring seven runs. Once the Bulldogs made it to the dugout, Davis Watson started things off with a line drive to center field for a single. Tommy Drinkwine followed with another line drive to centerfield. Not to be left out, Payton Sapp stepped up to the plate and drove another one out to center, allowing Watson to score while Drinkwine advanced to second base. Canin Peppers earned an RBI when he grounded out but allowed Drinkwine to score. Sapp was left on third and the inning ended with the Bulldogs down 7-2.

Second baseman Payton Sapp started the second inning off for the Bulldogs fielding a line drive for the first out. Sapp was moved over to pitch after Watson hit the next batter. Sapp struck out the next two batters to end the inning. 

Quitman’s first batter of the inning, Jonas Prather, struck out, but Weston Pence was able to get things moving for the Bulldogs with a single. Carter Smith struck out next, but Davis Watson hit a single toward shortstop that allowed Pence to advance to third base. Watson soon stole second base, but Drinkwine grounded out to third base, leaving Watson stranded. 

The third inning was tough for Quitman as Alba-Golden scored five runs on two hits. Quitman struggled offensively too with three up, three down. Sapp grounded out to the pitcher and Landon Green and Mikey Pickering struck out. 

The Bulldogs rallied at the top of the fourth inning with two quick outs. The first came with a hit to shortstop Watson who threw to first baseman Drinkwine for the out. The next batter flew out to Jaxon Wilson in left field. Watson connected with Drinkwine again for the third out. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs struggled offensively at the bottom of the inning with Kameran Crockett and Prather striking out. Pence ended the inning with a line drive that was caught by the center fielder.

The Bulldogs held the Panthers to no score in the final inning with a strikeout and two outs by Watson.

The Bulldogs were unable to score in the bottom of the fifth inning with Wilson striking out, Watson getting out on a pop fly to third and Sapp grounding out.

Alba Golden had 10 hits while the Bulldogs had 6. The Bulldogs finished the week 0-4 at the Grand Saline Tournament.