Gridley senior Tanner Abbott (5) tosses a five- inning no hitter on March 31 in the Bulldogs’ victory against Corning. Photo by Steven Bryla

GRIDLEY, CA (YSBC) - The Gridley Bulldogs opened Westside League play with a 15-0 shutout over the Corning Cardinals on March 31.

Gridley won their third-consecutive game with the victory over Corning and Bulldogs senior pitcher Tanner Abbott had a lights-out pitching performance.

Abbott tossed a complete-game no hitter in five innings. The Cardinals manage only to put the ball-in play three times throughout the game.

Abbott sent 12-Corning hitters back to the bench empty on strikes and surrendered four walks in the win.

Abbott, who is committed to play at the University of California, Santa Barbara after the completion of this season, expressed to Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports he felt good on the mound in the rainy and wet conditions, but knows he can be better.

Gridley junior Marcus Duncan (6) lays down a bunt on March 31 during the Bulldogs’ win. Photo by Steven Bryla

Abbott fell behind in a lot of counts against Corning, but the left-hander fought his way from 3-0 and 3-1 counts that ended in strikeouts.

Abbott said that he is looking forward to the Bulldogs trip next week in the Central Coast Baseball Classic in Templeton April 10-11.

“We’re going to face some really good teams down there,” Abbott said. “It’s going to help us prepare for a battle in league play when we come back from Spring Break.”

Gridley head coach Dan Crabtree told his team after the win against the Cardinals that was the way to set the tone for league play.

Crabtree added the next battle is if the Bulldogs can match the energy and bring the same when they are scheduled to travel to Corning on Thursday.

Gridley sophomore Trey Rosser (3) lifts the ball on March 31 in the Bulldogs’ win over Corning. Photo by Steven Bryla

Offensively, Gridley lit up the scoreboard instantly as they scored six in the first and added eight runs between the third and the fourth inning for the double-digit win.

The Bulldogs hitting line up has diversity that includes speed, power and unselfishness.

Make sure you don’t blink when Gridley is hitting because the top of the lineup between junior Marcus Duncan and senior Eli Punzo have lightning speed on the base paths.

The Bulldogs have plenty of pop in the lineup as they had their third straight double-digit hits and runs scored since March 20.

Gridley’s unselfishness at the plate to make the right baseball play is why the Bulldogs have been a premier program across the Northern Section for years.

Gridley junior Marcus Duncan (6) runs the bases during the Bulldogs’ victory over Corning on March 31. Photo by Steven Bryla

Crabtree told YSBC that his guys enjoy seeing their teammates succeed and they are always willing to do what’s best for the team.

Gridley laid down multiple bunts from all aspects of the lineup.

The Bulldogs had four players with multiple hits and five athletes with a multi-RBI game.

Gridley swept the Cardinals on April 2 with a 14-5 victory at Corning.

For more sports coverage visit, ysbcsports.com.

Gridley senior Eli Punzo (1) hits the ball during the Bulldogs’ victory over Corning on March 31. Photo by Steven Bryla