By Greg Sullivan
Sports Editor

The Diamond Dogs fell 12-8 to Washington-Wilkes last Wednesday despite a homer and five RBI from Parker Cline and additional homers from Josh Blackburn and Tyler Ward.
It was defense that did the Dogs in, as they gave up six errors and seven unearned runs in the loss.
The Tigers jumped ahead early in the game, scoring six runs in the second inning largely off of three Bulldog errors for the inning.
Diamond Dogs Head Coach Brandon Patch said he wants to see his team reduce their defensive miscues as the season goes along.
"I would like to see the guys continue to be consistent at the plate," Patch said. "Then I would like to see improvement on defense with fewer errors and prolonged innings."
Offensively, the Dogs have fared well all season, averaging nearly nine runs per game, but unlike two days before when they were able to hold Greene County to just two runs to pick up a an easy 14-2 win, the defense wasn't able to hold back Washington-Wilkes' scoring.
Kyle Burden got the start for the Dogs. Later coming in for relief duty were Parker Cline and Olin Watkins. The collective pitching effort, allowing a combined total of five earned runs would have likely been enough to keep the Tigers’ hiiters at bay if there had been enough defensive support.
The bright sports in the effort for the Dogs all came at the plate.
Ward went 2 for 4 with a homer, three runs scored and an RBI. Cline went 2 for 4 with a homer and five RBI. Blackburn went 1 for 4 with a solo homer. Clay Duvall went 3 for 4 and scored a run.
The team's home game on Friday with North Oconee was postponed due to rain and will be made up on April 4.
After nearly a week's layoff due to the postponed game, the Dogs went up against Oglethorpe Tuesday night, looking to show some defensive improvement. The team is home again Thursday when they host Putnam County at 5:30 p.m. The Putnam game is the first of three straight home games for the Dogs. They have Greene County at home on Monday, March 24 and a Washington-Wilkes rematch next Wednesday.