craigdailypress.com

Don't rub your eyes. Don't slap yourself. Don't even ask someone to pinch you. A local team entered in the Triple Crown World Series is winning games -- it's not a dream.

The 16-and-under Moffat County Bulldogs whipped the Lee's Summit Snappers, 11-1, in six innings Thursday morning. The win improved the Bulldogs to 2-1 in the first two days of the tournament.

"We're playing talented teams but the kids believe in themselves after a summer of good ball," coach Scott Parker said. "We made two bad plays in the second game and it cost us, but other than that we've executed well."

The execution in the game against the Snappers came by way of clutch hitting. The Bulldogs knocked in 11 of the 14 runners who reached base. They scored the runs in every way imaginable. Bryan Wojtkiewicz laid down two bunts for three RBI. Brad Grinstead hit a double and a triple for two RBI. Several players stole home on passed balls others hit sacrifice flies.

The win came after a 6-1 loss to the Texas Knockouts earlier in the morning at Craig Middle School field.

Wednesday the Bulldogs shut down the Missouri Hurricanes 4-1. Erik Griffin kept the Hurricanes from doing any damage from the plate. Moffat County scored two runs in the seventh to seal it up.

"The first and third games we played good all around," Parker said. "We put pressure on the other teams and got it done."

Wojtkiewicz got it done on the mound against the Snappers. He struck out five and gave up two hits through six innings.

The game was close through three innings. Then Moffat County poured on seven runs to open up a 9-0 lead.

The Bulldogs were up 9-1 in the bottom of the six. Brad Grinstead opened up the inning with a double and Korey Kostur walked. Wojtkiewicz bunted and a bad throw to first allowed Grinstead and Kostur to score. The 10-run rule ended the game.

The 16-and-under bracket consists of 14 teams and after each team played three games the teams were organized into a bracket with seeds according to pool-play records.

The Bulldogs will play today at 1:30 p.m. in Steamboat Springs against the Kansas City Angels. They received the sixth seed and the Angels are the third seed. The tournament is double elimination; if the Bulldogs lose they will play today at 6:30 p.m. If they win they will play Saturday.