Gulf Coast Bulldogs win USSSA World Series

Photo courtesy of Jeff Gill World Series champs The Gulf Coast Bulldogs won the 11-under division at the USSSA World Series in Pace. They are (front row, from left): Jimmy Richardson, Ryan Catyb, Julian Gordon, Xavier Perrera and Matt Cronin. Second row (from left): Jacob Cross, Zane Gill, Jonathan Burnette, David Rosen, Evan Floyd and Kyle Hill. Back: Coaches Jeff Gill and John Cronin. The Gulf Coast Bulldogs won the 11-under division at the USSSA World Series last weekend in Pace.

The Bulldogs, one of 34 teams in their bracket (that included teams from nine states), won eight straight games after losing their opener.

Katy Wildcats 11, Bulldogs 0: Matt Cronin's leadoff single in the second inning was the team's only hit in a loss to the Wildcats, who used four walks, a hit batter, two errors and only one base hit to score seven runs in the first inning.

Bulldogs 6, Fayette Storm 4: Cronin singled and scored in the third and fifth innings, while Zane Gill added a two-run double in the Bulldogs' win over the Storm.

Photo courtesy of Jeff Gill Outstanding players Zane Gill (left) was named the Offensive Most Valuable Player, while Matt Cronin was the Overall MVP for the Gulf Coast Bulldogs won the 11-under division at the USSSA World Series in Pace. Jimmy Richardson went 2-for-3 with a double and scored once, while Kyle Hill scored twice.

Bulldogs 10, Northeast Pensacola 6: Cronin and Gill both hit RBI singles, while Richardson hit a two-run double in a six-run third for the Bulldogs.

Cronin, who was named the Tournament's Most Valuable Player, went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored, while Jonathon Burnette singled and scored twice. Xavier Perera scored three times in the win.

Bulldogs 10, Thomson Wildcats 0: Cronin and Julian Gordon combined for a no-hitter in a win over the Wildcats.

Brunette and Gordon both had two hits and two runs scored, while Richardson went 2-for-3 with an RBI. David Rosen hit a two-run double and scored twice.

Bulldogs 8, Heat 0: Jacob Cross and Gill, named the Most Outstanding Offensive Player of the Tournament, combined on a no-hitter with five strikeouts.

Rosen scored twice, while Cronin, Gordon and Cross all singled and scored. Burnette had an RBI single.

Bulldogs 8, Reds 7: Brunette scored when Evan Floyd reached on an error in the bottom of the fourth to win.

Gill doubled twice and scored once, while Cross went 2-for-2 and scored once. Gordon singled and drove in two runs.

Bulldogs 9, Collins Hill 3: Burnette and Cross both scored twice, while Hill hit a two-run double in the second inning to beat Collins Hill.

Bulldogs 4, Katy Wildcats 2: Gill went 2-for-3 with a double and scored once, while Hill, Cronin and Rosen all scored once in a win over the Wildcats.

Bulldogs 12, Collins Hill 1: The Bulldogs scored 12 in the first inning to win the title.

Burnette went 2-for-3 with a double, three RBIs and two runs scored, while Gordon and Rosen both went 2-for-2 with a double and two RBIs. Cross added a two-run single and scored once, while Hill and Cronin both scored twice.