SMOKEY POINT The Power Alley Bulldogs lost 10-8 in six innings to Woodinville at Evans Field May 20, but not before showing steely determination in a late-game comeback.
The teams traded leads several times. Power Alley led 2-1 at the end of the third inning after converting hits by extra hitter Zach Engalhart and pitcher Joel Knodel. Then Woodinville put together a five-run inning in the fourth to take an early emotional victory.
After holding Power Alley to four at bats, Woodinville added to its lead in the fifth inning, scoring four more runs off errors and Bulldog relief pitcher Garrett Davis.
Down 10-2 in the bottom of the fifth, Power Alley held onto hope.
Taking advantage of perceived weakness in the Woodinville pitchers, Engalhart, Jake Hereth and Steven Shane all drew walks. Each stole second. Engalhart and Hereth took advantage of errors to advance further, Engalhart getting a third Bulldog run, Hereth making it to third.
Bulldog catcher Dustin Ward drew a fourth walk, forcing Woodinville to change pitchers for the second time in the inning and leaving Power Alley with the bases loaded.
While the relief pitcher warmed up, infielder Brian Funnel watched from the deck position.
At bat, Funnel watched the first pitch, a strike, go past. As if disbelieving his eyes, Funnel shook his head toward the Bulldog dugout.
The second pitch, to the outside corner, was more to Funnels liking. A little high, he slammed it to left center field. Down 10-3, Funnels ball soared over the fence and into a neighboring yard. Grand slam.
The bases cleared and with no outs, first baseman Cory Moore stepped up and hit a solid double on the next pitch. Though tagged out at first, fielder Brian McPartland had the RBI for the Bulldogs eighth and final run.
With rain soaking the Woodinville and Power Alley fan bases, the umps called the game after a scoreless sixth inning, leaving those in the Bulldog dugout ruing the unplayed seventh inning.
Reflecting on the comeback, HR-hitting Funnel said later, It feels good, but its a drag we lost.
Funnel added that under other circumstances the rain might have been a factor in some of their errors, but he believed his team could have played a tighter game.
Coach Mark Ward was a little more generous.
The rain was our worst enemy, he said after the game. I think we get another at bat, we win.
Reflecting on the game play, Ward added that he was happy with pitching from Knodel and Davis, as well as the players day at the plate.
Im pleased with our performance with the exception of defense, he said. Its nice to see these kids are capable of making a comeback.

At Evans Field

Woodinville 1 0 0 5 4 0 x 10
Power Alley 0 0 2 0 6 0 x 8