JERSEY SHORE — The Jersey Shore Bulldogs (7-5) have had an up-and-down season up to this point. From the highs of a four-game win streak to start the year, to the four-game losing streak that immediately followed. Today showed a little bit of both, but in the end, a four-run first inning powered the Bulldogs to a 5-4 win over the Shikellamy Braves (2-10).

Starting on the mound for the Bulldogs was Landyn Rhea. Rhea has been a solid starter for Jersey Shore this season, and that continued on Thursday. Rhea pitched well, going 4 2/3 innings and only allowing two runs to cross, both coming in the first inning. After the first, it was mainly smooth sailing for Rhea, giving up five walks, but inducing a ton of ground balls and showing off some impressive fielding.

After Rhea, it was Greyson Confair who took the hill. Confair pitched well before giving up two earned runs in the fifth inning. Carson Watkins and Nolen Pauling were next out of the pen for Jersey Shore, and they cleaned up in the sixth and seventh, with Pauling earning the save.

Meanwhile, on the hitting side of things, the Bulldogs started off on fire, lighting up the Braves early in the first inning with the first four batters getting on base and coming around to score. After taking a 4-2 lead early, the Bulldogs kept at it, as Collin Berguson launched a long solo home run to put his guys up 5-2.

On the mound for the Braves it was sophomore Justin Zeigler. Needless to say Zeigler did not have his best day, surrendering nine hits, and giving up five earned runs in the loss. However, not all hope was lost for the Braves, as after Berguson’s solo shot, the Shikellamy bullpen came in and dominated, shutting out the Jersey Shore offense and clearly frustrating the Bulldogs’ hitters.

It did seem that Jersey Shore let their foot off the gas after going up early, making some key mistakes that let Shikellamy back into the game. Despite that, it also seemed like as soon as the Braves made it a one-run game, you could see the Bulldogs click back into gear as they closed out the win.

After the game, Jersey Shore head coach Joe Dunn talked about how he was a little “disappointed” in the team’s play in the middle innings, but went on to say he was proud of how they responded at the end and how they closed out the victory.

“All in all we came out with the win and I’m happy about that.” Dunn said, “They dug deep and finished the job.”

Next up for Jersey Shore, it will travel to face Selinsgrove on Friday, with first pitch slated for 4:30.

Jersey Shore 5, Shikellamy 4

SHIK 200 020 0 – 4 7 0

JS 401 000 X – 5 10 0

W – Landyn Rhea. L – Justin Zeigler. SV – Nolan Pauling.

Top Jersey Shore Hitters: Collin Berguson 2-3, HR, RBI, run; Zach Myers 1-3, 2 RBI, walk, run; Austin Rhinehart 1-4, 2B, RBI, run; Carter Rhinehart 1-3, SB, walk, run; Landon Welshans 1-3, RBI; Brayden Seasholtz 1-2, SB, walk; Hunter Enders 1-3; Mazden Lupton, run; Nolen Pauling 1-3; Mason Winter 1-3. Top Shikellamy Hitters: Charlie Walter 1-2, 2 RBI, walk; Chayse Snyder 1-3, 2B, SB, RBI 2 runs; Corbin Stall 1-3, 3B, walk, 2 runs; Kingston Erb 1-3, RBI.