300 And Counting

Lady Bulldogs Give Head Coach Heath Gilbert Milestone Win

The Sulphur Lady Bulldogs gave head coach Heath Gilbert a milestone achievement in what he described as a “great” first week of fastpitch season.

Last Thursday, Gilbert was recognized for his 300th career win after the Lady Bulldogs got by Stratford, 6-4, ending a sold week in which the team won three and lost one.

Gilbert said the three wins were the result of very good hitting and the combination of solid pitching from Cheyenne Ruth and Kinsley Rochelle.

“We need to clean up our defense a little and be more confi dent,” he said. “ This week will be a great test with some tough competition. We need to get better everyday and be great at the end.”

After drubbing Madill, 28-1 last Monday, the girls picked up wins over Stratford on Thursday, 6-4, and Wilson on Friday, 9-1. In between, those lost to a quality Washington team.

Gilbert, who is starting his 15th year at Sulphur said he was very proud of his team’s effort last week. He also said, “the girls did a great job keeping it quite and surprising me on the 300th win.”

After the game, the team unfurled a large banner acknowledging his achievement and photos were taken to commemorate the milestone.

“I knew it was close, I just wasn’t sure which day it could be,” he said. The 300 wins in Sulphur just means I’ve had lots of great girls that have come through this program in 14 years and 10 state tournament appearances. It couldn’t have been done without their hard work, dedication.”

300 & Counting

Gilbert also said he has had “great assistant coaches” during his tenure here.

The Lady Bulldogs got things rolling last Thursday as they hosted Stratford.

After Stratford opened the scoring in the second with a single scoring one run, the Lady Dogs came to the plate, and with aide of a walk, Sydnie Rolin scored to knot the game at one each.

In the bottom of the third, Sulphur’s bats came alive when Kensley Rochelle singled, scoring a run, Jordyn Johnston also singled which scored two runs and Paige Collins ground out, but brought a run home.

Rochelle led the local girls on the mound, giving up just six hits over seven innings for the win.

Leading Sulphur at the plate were Savannah Patrick, who went 2-2, and Rolin and Johnston with run-scoring singles.

In Sulphur’s Friday win over Wilson, the Lady Bulldogs’Landri Oxley got on board with a walk in the first, followed by a single from Johnston down the left filed line. Both ended up scoring to give Sulphur an early lead.

Sulphur added another run in the second inning when Zoli May singled down left field line, and ended up scoring to make it a 3-0 game.

Ruth led Sulphur from the mound, giving up only four hits and one run over six innings.

Sulphur ended up collecting 10 hits in the game.

Oxley battled three runs in, going one for two on the day. Others helping the cause were Destrie Muck, Rochelle and Ruth, each with two hits each.

After hosting Byng on Monday and Lone Grove on Tuesday, the team will prep for the annual Murray County Tournament Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 21-23 to round out the week’s slate.