Bulldogs begin 2019 baseball season at 2-2

The Thorndale Bulldogs have started up their 2019 campaign and are currently sitting at 2-2 on the young season. “We have played four games so far. The difference in the two games we won is that we played pretty good defense and we were able to throw strikes,” Thorndale head baseball coach Kelly Kuhl said. “In the two games we lost we made a ton of errors. You take the free runs away and we are 4-0 right now. We will definitely get that fixed in practice.” The Bulldogs will play two games on Thursday and one game on Saturday in the Hallettsville Sacred Heart tournament. The Bulldogs are scheduled to host Riesel on Monday. The Bulldogs fell 14-13 to Academy on Monday night on a walk off single by the Bumblebees. Justin Paxton took the loss for Thorndale. Collin Taylor had started the game for the Bulldogs. Thorndale had 11 hits on the night. Mason Kuhl went three-for-four with a triple and five runs batted in; he also scored two runs. Corbin Preusse also had four hits with a run scored and an RBI. Justin Paxton recorded a double and pushed across two runs. Scott Guzman hit a triple and Collin Taylor a double. Colton Ray and Tyler Shillings each recorded a hit, with Mason Lindig and Kellen Hubnik both had one RBIs. Thorndale came from behind on Saturday to defeat Rockdale 11-7. The game was tied at 5-5 in the top of the ninth before the Bulldog bats got hot. The Bulldogs strung together 11 hits on the night and Rockdale had 15. Guzman earned the win for Thorndale, striking out three. Bryson Beran and Ray entered the game in relief. Ray was credited with the save. Preusse started the game, lasting five innings. Guzman was three-for-six on the day with a triple, two RBIs and a stolen base. Paxton also had three hits with an RBI and two stolen bases. Lindig, Tyler Shilling, Kellen Hubnik and Preusse each recorded a hit, with Lindig adding two RBIs. Shilling, Hubnik and Preusse each batted in a run and Ty Morstatter scored a run. In the second of a two-game day for Thorndale on Saturday, the Bulldogs defeated Round Top-Carmine 12-3. Shillings earned the win on the rubber for the Bulldogs. He allowed three hits and one run over five innings and struck out three. Beran and Ray entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game in relief. Thorndale tallied seven hits in the game. Guzman recorded 4RBIs with a double in the first inning and a single in the fifth. Preusse doubled and had two RBIs, with Beran also adding a double. Thorndale lost 10-4 to Iola on Thursday in the opening game of the season. Paxton went two-for-three with both a triple and double to lead the Bulldog effort. Cain Brymer and Lindig each stole a base. Taylor suffered the loss on the mound for Thorndale. He lasted three innings, allowing six hits and striking out five batters.