QHS Bulldogs sweep double-header from Gladewater

By Larry Tucker
editor@wood.cm
Posted 3/9/23

The Quitman Bulldogs have started the baseball season 5-3 after sweeping a double-header over Gladewater 12-7, 8-1.

This year’s Bulldog team should be in the mix for a playoff run with a …

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QHS Bulldogs sweep double-header from Gladewater

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The Quitman Bulldogs have started the baseball season 5-3 after sweeping a double-header over Gladewater 12-7, 8-1.

This year’s Bulldog team should be in the mix for a playoff run with a veteran pitching staff led by UT-Tyler signee Landon Richey.

“I told the basketball players to take a week off to give them a break, but there was no week off for Big Red (Richey). Basketball finished on Tuesday and Landon was at practice the next day,” Head Coach Trey Neighbors said. “That shows you that this kid has come to play his senior year.”

Neighbors has several veterans from last year’s team and has added talented freshmen to the mix with hopes of combining the players into a playoff contender. 

Neighbors feels traditional power Harmony, Winnsboro and Mineola will be the teams to beat at the top of the district standings. The Bulldogs have a solid blend of experience with youthful talent which could combine to lead to a successful season and a possible district championship.

Richey will be on the mound for his final year of a four-year career on the Bulldog varsity. The fire balling right-hander is also a solid hitter in the Bulldog offensive line-up. Junior pitcher Tommy Drinkwine is on the brink of a great year. Drinkwine has experience and keeps batters guessing with his array of pitches.

Neighbors is high on his newcomers, freshmen Davis Watson, Adam Belk and Cannin Peppers and has high hopes for those returning.

“I am starting three freshmen right now. Watson has looked good so far at shortstop. Belk is a utility guy; he can catch, he can pitch and can do whatever we need him to do and he is hitting about .320,” Neighbors noted. 

Pitching will be strength for the Bulldogs this year.

“We have Richey and Drinkwine, but Carson Dickens will be important in our rotation too. He can come in and throw a lot of strikes. He has thrown nine innings already and his ERA (earned run average) is right at 1.00,” Neighbors added. “He did a great against a good 4A North Lamar team giving up just one earned run in four innings.”

The Bulldogs have three athletes who can hold down the important catcher’s spot. They are seniors Brandon Hayes and Dickens along with freshman Belk.

The Bulldogs have been hitting the ball well for the early season. Dickens and Richey are hitting at a .450 clip during pre-district. Basketball star Payton Sapp will give the Bulldogs good hitting and fielding at either third or second base.

Neighbors loves to play small ball. He relishes getting runners on base and getting them around to home plate. The Bulldogs play fundamental baseball using  a solid running game, as well as bunting and timely hitting. The Bulldogs have already stolen over 40 bases, averaging at least five a game thus far.

After playing at home