QUINCY, Mass. — The Mount Vernon Babe Ruth League baseball team hasn’t had a good couple of days.
After having to spend a night in Dallas because of flight problems, the Bulldogs fell to Nederland (Texas) 10-1 on Sunday in their first game of pool play at the Babe Ruth League World Series.
“It’s been a little rough,” said Mount Vernon coach Adam McAbee. “But that’s the way it goes sometimes.”
Nederland, the Southwest Regional champion, got to Mount Vernon pitcher Brennan Emory early.
It scored eight runs in its first three at-bats to take an 8-0 lead.
Mount Vernon, which scored its lone run in the bottom of the third inning, was held to three hits.
Spencer McBride had a double, while Connor Otos and Sean FitzGerald each had singles.
“We were a little too nervous,” said McAbee. “It is just one of those things that can happen when you go into a big tournament. We weren’t ready.”
Mount Vernon pitcher Richard Dutton kept Nederland relatively quiet over the final four innings — he gave up two runs — but the scoring wasn’t there for his team.
“He pitched a phenomenal game. We just got too far behind to win,” said McAbee.
The Bulldogs return to action Monday against Youngstown (Ohio), the Ohio Valley Regional champion.
Mount Vernon likely needs to win two of its next three games to make the tournament’s playoff round.
“I really believe in these kids,” said McAbee. “With what they did at the state and regional tournaments, they’ll bounce back and play their game.”
