Bulldogs’ inspired run comes to end against Pisgah
The Belgreen Bulldogs’ inspired run through the Class 2A state softball tournament came to an end in the Final Four last week, marking the culmination of a dream season.
Despite a valiant effort and two crucial elimination game victories, the Bulldogs ultimately couldn’t overcome a dominant Pisgah Eagles team.
The Bulldogs began their state tournament journey facing Pisgah. Belgreen’s lone run in a tough 7-1 loss came in the top of the third inning when Bryn Scott delivered a RBI-single, bringing home Charley Hogan. At that point, the Eagles held a 4-0 lead and extended it with three more runs after Belgreen got on the board.
Belgreen immediately bounced back in an elimination game against Horseshoe Bend. The Bulldogs’ offense came alive, securing a decisive 10-4 victory.
Zoey Blaxton powered the attack, going 3-for-4 with three RBI and scoring a run. Hogan also had a strong performance, contributing two hits in four at-bats and driving in two runs. Kendra Williams crossed the plate twice, while Scott, Makinley Hogan, Jemma Moore, Caleigh Lawson, Blaxton and MaKinley Vandiver each added a run to fuel the win.
The momentum carried into the next elimination contest as Belgreen faced West End with a Final Four berth on the line. The Bulldogs’ bats were explosive, leading to an 8-2 triumph.
Belgreen hammered six doubles and a triple in the game. Scott was a standout, collecting three hits, including a triple, and scoring two runs. The barrage of doubles came from Lawson, Dacota Green, Moore, Hogan, Vandiver and Blaxton.
Those elimination bracket victories propelled Belgreen into the Class 2A Final Four, where they once again met their nemesis, Pisgah. The Eagles established an early 9-0 lead by the fourth inning. Belgreen showed its fighting spirit, rallying for five runs in the top of the fifth to cut into the deficit. However, Pisgah quickly extinguished any hopes of a comeback, answering with three more runs in the bottom half of the inning, sealing a 12-5 victory and ending the Bulldogs’ season.
