Bulldogs walk off Cleveland for 3rd win in last 4 games

Looking to bounce back from Thursday’s tough 9-5 loss to Kenyon-Wanamingo, the Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton softball team hosted the Cleveland Clippers Friday evening. With howling winds creating near freezing temperatures, the Bulldogs offense started hot and finished clutch, defeating the Clippers 7-6 with a walk-off hit from senior Lexi Dahlberg.

With the win, JWP’s third in the last four games, the team’s record is now 3-4 (2-2 GC) on the season.

Ryleigh Donner got the start in the circle for the Bulldogs and limited the damage from Cleveland throughout the game while the bats for JWP built an early lead. After putting down the Clippers in the top of the first, the Bulldogs put together a string of hits to take an early 2-0 lead.

JWP continued to expand its lead in the second with two more runs before Cleveland would get on the board in the third. The Bulldogs continued to score throughout the game and with six runs going into the top of the seventh and a two-run lead, the Clippers were on the ropes.

Cleveland managed to tie the game though, scoring two runs in the top of the seventh before being shut down. In the bottom of the seventh, Brielle Dessner hit a single to center field before successfully stealing second with Lexi Dahlberg at the plate.

Facing a 2-0 count, Dahlberg crushed the hitter’s pitch with a deep double to centerfield that allowed Dessner to cross home plate with ease, earning the walk-off win.

The Bulldogs are scheduled to return to action Monday, April 22, when they host the Maple River Eagles with first pitch scheduled for 4:30 p.m.