Bloomingdale Wins Home Opener Over Plant City 6-3

On Thursday (2/20) the Bloomingdale Bulls came behind from an early inning deficit to defeat the Plant City Raiders 6-3. Plant City opened the game with runs in both the top of the first and second to give Raiders starter 2020 RHP/1B Tyler Dowdy an early 2-0 cushion but this would not last long. In the bottom of the third they would surrender this early lead to a bases clearing triple laced off the bat of 2022 MIF Colby Shelton to the left field fence. Shelton electrified the Bulls bench pumping his fists as he slid safely into third to give the Bulls a 3-2 lead. The Bulls would bring Shelton home in this inning to give Bloomingdale a 4-2 lead. 

Relief pitching was critical in maintaining the Bulls lead and the bullpen did its job in only surrendering a single run through the rest of the game. 2020 OF Dominic Gonnella chimed in with an infield single to score two in the bottom of the fourth which would knock Raiders starter, Dowdy, out of the game for good. Plant City attempted to rally in the top of the sixth with putting balls in play for infield singles that would score one, but the Bulls defense and bullpen responded to shut the rally down before things could get close.

With the win, Bloomingdale moved to 2-0 on the year while Plant City fell to 0-1.

Standout of the Game

2022 MIF Colby Shelton (Bloomingdale HS, FL)
The Clemson commit stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the third with two outs and bases loaded to barrell a line drive to the left field fence that would give the Bulls the lead. Shelton took an outside fastball to the opposite field showing his ability to use the entire field. Shelton is an athletic MIF with pop from the left side.