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Bulldogs pound Eagles, 11-1
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COVINGTON - For most kids, Spring Break means fun and relaxation.

But Eastside High baseball players aren't most kids, even though they've had a roller coaster of a week.

It began with an emotional win over crosstown rival Alcovy on Monday, followed by a loss to a winless Cedar Shoals club Tuesday (see 4B).

And it ended with another defeat Wednesday, this time an 11-1 loss to Winder-Barrow (10-5 overall, 12-5 Region 8-AAAAA) at Eagle Field.

"Every game right now is real valuable and important because we're trying to get into the top four in the region," said Winder-Barrow coach Brian Smith.

Meanwhile, the Eagles (5-13, 5-11) are resting in ninth place, needing nothing short of a miracle to advance to the postseason.

Winder-Barrow starting pitcher Ryan Overstreet didn't help the cause, either, throwing six strong innings en route to the win. He recorded six strikeouts and one walk, while allowing just two hits and one earned run.

"(Overstreet) was a one-man wrecking crew today," said Eastside coach Michael Poor. "He's a tremendous athlete who threw a whale of a game. He kept our guys off-balance all night long - just a fantastic pitching performance."

Overstreet helped his own cause at the plate by belting a first-pitch fastball over the left field fence for a three-run homer in the top of the first. It sparked a six-run inning, which also included a two-run single by Max Pentecost.

"It helped me tremendously because I'm better when I have runs behind us," Overstreet admitted. "That was a tremendous help, and it really got my confidence up. We have a really strong pitching staff, so it's better to jump on people quick. When we do (that) we get big runs and big hits."

Pentecost ended 2-for-2 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

Eastside retaliated in the bottom half of the inning after Git Aiken slapped a 2-2 breaking ball to left for an RBI single, plating Jared Trust who previously walked.

"He battled," Poor said of Aiken, who was recently called up to varsity. "He puts the ball in play, and for a sophomore he's something special."

But that was all the scoring the Eagles could muster. In fact, they only recorded one more hit - a single by Joe Thigpen in the sixth inning.

The Bulldogs tacked on three more runs in the third inning thanks to an RBI triple by Billy Segars and a sacrifice fly by Jeremy Donaldson.

Donaldson, who finished 3-for-3, added an RBI double in the fifth to make it 10-1.

"That's a good, quality team," Poor said regarding the Bulldogs. "They are a very well-coached team, and did everything right like you're supposed to do."

Eastside's Daniel Digby, who pitched two innings, was credited with the loss. He allowed eight earned runs and walked four batters, all of which scored.

Overall, Winder-Barrow batted .433 (13-for-30), with each starter getting a hit or scoring a run.

"This was a really big game to win," Overstreet said, who finished a triple shy of the cycle, going 4-for-4 with three RBIs and two doubles.

"It's important for us as a team because every time (Overstreet) comes out we need him like that - sharp," Smith said. "It's important for him as a kid, too, because he had a couple schools here to look at him, so he showed out a little bit and I hope that comes up with an offer for him."

Despite the loss there were still bright spots in each aspect of the game - hitting, pitching and fielding - for the Eagles.

Earlier this season in a 4-2 loss to the Bulldogs, Eastside fanned 12 times against Overstreet, doubling its amount from Wednesday night.

"We made some adjustments to put it in play," Poor said, "so we're growing as hitters."

Regardless of the lack of offensive production, Eastside freshman Seth Allen threw five innings of relief work, allowing five hits and just one earned run.

"I'm so, so tremendously proud of Seth," Poor said. "He's been roughed up in a couple of relief appearances, and I couldn't be prouder of him; he threw a tremendous game."

Although the Eagles committed four errors, including two on one play, they turned their fourth double play in three games.

Outfielder Keaton Anglin added an assist, saving a run in the second by gunning down a baserunner trying to score.

"One thing that they need to do is enjoy the game for what it is," Poor acknowledged, "and if they do (that) instead of putting the pressure on themselves to win they're going to be alright."

Eastside next visits Madison County at 5:30 p.m. on Monday.