Gulf Shores Dolphins lose to Owensboro-Catholic
GULF SHORES -- Owensboro Catholic's baseball team capped off a mighty fine week Thursday when it defeated Gulf Shores 10-2 at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex.
The visitors from Kentucky -- ranked No. 5 in the Bluegrass State -- went 4-1 during their season-opening spring break trip to the Gulf Coast, besting Faith Academy, Gulf Shores and Franklin-Simpson (Ky.) twice. The Aces also lost to Daphne on Tuesday.
"We've played some good teams down here and we've had a lot of fun," said Owensboro coach Troy Pendley. "Not only are the people nice and hospitable to us, but we get to play some great teams as well. It's well worth our time to come down here."
Thursday's contest was not nearly as satisfying for the Dolphins, who managed only five hits against two of Owensboro's top pitchers.
"We just got beat by a good team. They can play," said Gulf Shores coach Donnie Spohn.
The Aces scored three runs in the second inning and broke the game open with six in the third. The Dolphins responded with two in the fifth, but by then it was too little too late.
University of Louisville signee Justin Marks led the charge for Owensboro with two hits and three RBIs, while Joe Devine added two hits and two RBIs and Ryan Rogers had two hits and one RBI. Neil Holland also had two hits for the Aces, while Stewart Ijames and Will Higdon added RBIs.
Chase DiChiara, Chandler Davis, D.J. Jones, Scotty Freeman and Gary Johnston all had base knocks for the Dolphins.
Rogers (1-0) picked up the win for Owensboro, allowing two runs on four hits in five innings of work. He struck out nine and walked three.
Joey DiChiara (0-2) took the loss for Gulf Shores, allowing nine runs on nine hits in two innings. He struck out one and did not walk a batter.
Alex Webb and Johnston pitched well in relief for the Dolphins, tossing five innings of three-hit baseball. Webb struck out three and walked two, while Johnston struck out four and walked three.
"I thought our pitchers were adequate tonight, we just didn't hit," said Spohn. "We can't get by with not hitting."
Gulf Shores (6-13) was scheduled to play UMS-Wright on Friday in a 4A Area 1 game that was completed after the deadline for today's Baldwin Register. Both the Dolphins and the Bulldogs entered that contest undefeated in area play.
Gulf Shores' next game is Tuesday at Escambia County. The first pitch is slate for 6 p.m. in Atmore.
© 2006 Press-Register. All rights reserved.
The visitors from Kentucky -- ranked No. 5 in the Bluegrass State -- went 4-1 during their season-opening spring break trip to the Gulf Coast, besting Faith Academy, Gulf Shores and Franklin-Simpson (Ky.) twice. The Aces also lost to Daphne on Tuesday.
"We've played some good teams down here and we've had a lot of fun," said Owensboro coach Troy Pendley. "Not only are the people nice and hospitable to us, but we get to play some great teams as well. It's well worth our time to come down here."
Thursday's contest was not nearly as satisfying for the Dolphins, who managed only five hits against two of Owensboro's top pitchers.
"We just got beat by a good team. They can play," said Gulf Shores coach Donnie Spohn.
The Aces scored three runs in the second inning and broke the game open with six in the third. The Dolphins responded with two in the fifth, but by then it was too little too late.
University of Louisville signee Justin Marks led the charge for Owensboro with two hits and three RBIs, while Joe Devine added two hits and two RBIs and Ryan Rogers had two hits and one RBI. Neil Holland also had two hits for the Aces, while Stewart Ijames and Will Higdon added RBIs.
Chase DiChiara, Chandler Davis, D.J. Jones, Scotty Freeman and Gary Johnston all had base knocks for the Dolphins.
Rogers (1-0) picked up the win for Owensboro, allowing two runs on four hits in five innings of work. He struck out nine and walked three.
Joey DiChiara (0-2) took the loss for Gulf Shores, allowing nine runs on nine hits in two innings. He struck out one and did not walk a batter.
Alex Webb and Johnston pitched well in relief for the Dolphins, tossing five innings of three-hit baseball. Webb struck out three and walked two, while Johnston struck out four and walked three.
"I thought our pitchers were adequate tonight, we just didn't hit," said Spohn. "We can't get by with not hitting."
Gulf Shores (6-13) was scheduled to play UMS-Wright on Friday in a 4A Area 1 game that was completed after the deadline for today's Baldwin Register. Both the Dolphins and the Bulldogs entered that contest undefeated in area play.
Gulf Shores' next game is Tuesday at Escambia County. The first pitch is slate for 6 p.m. in Atmore.
© 2006 Press-Register. All rights reserved.
