Harrisburg stays hot, hammers West Frankfort

The start to the spring season for the Harrisburg baseball team has been blistering.

The Bulldogs - by virtue of an undefeated record - have outscored opponents 104-12 en route to a 10-0 record, most recently an 11-1 victory over West Frankfort Monday at Jay Thompson Field in Harrisburg.

In addition to a perfect start, Harrisburg is moving up in the Max Preps rankings for Illinois as the Bulldogs are currently the No. 3 team overall and are No. 1 in the Class 2A poll.

Monday was the third straight short game the Bulldogs captured and to date, the Bulldogs have won six of their first 10 by 10 runs or more.

Harrisburg wasted little time jumping on West Frankfort Monday, opening the flood gates to the tune of six runs in the first inning.

Andrew Bittle – who was also the starting pitcher for the Bulldogs - helped himself out with a three-run blast to center field, giving Harrisburg a quick 4-0 lead. Jacob Pittman later followed with a double to center to score two more.

Harrisburg added two more in the second as a Bittle single to left field gave the senior another RBI on the day.

Bittle was 3-for-3 at the dish with four RBI and a run scored. Javie Beal and Ben Brombaugh also had three hits on the afternoon as Beal went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and Brombaugh was 3-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored.

Krayton Morse finished up a 2-for-3 day at the plate, while Noah Boon, Cameron Ande, Luke Miller and Pittman all had one hit.

On the mound, Bittle was solid, going five strong innings, striking out six and allowing one run (unearned) on two hits.

Harrisburg was slated to host Massac County on Tuesday, followed by a home game with Trico Wednesday. On Thursday, the Bulldogs hit the road for Fairfield and wrap up the week with an SIRR Ohio showdown with Benton Friday at Jay Thompson field and conclude with a doubleheader at home against Woodlawn Saturday, starting at 11 a.m.