Bulldog Baseball

The playoff chances for the Howe Bulldogs (7-15) eroded last week with two losses to the Bells Panthers. On Tuesday, Howe held close in a 4-2 nail biter, but Friday was more lopsided as Bells took an 8-0 win.

Sophomore Matt Hayes got the start for the Dogs on Tuesday. Coming off a dominant outing a week ago, Hayes was on fire through the first three innings, but the Panthers hit him hard the second time through the lineup. Overall, he allowed three earned runs on four hits in 3.1 innings. He did, however, strikeout four Panthers. He was relieved by senior Brett Burnett who tossed 1.1 innings, striking out two and allowing no earned runs on two hits. Junior Luke Lopez then finished out the game with 1.1 innings allowing only one hit.

All of Howe’s runs came in the first inning when Parker Pecina drove in sophomore Ryan Hough and Austin Haley who each singled to lead off the game.

Bells, however, led off with two singles in the bottom of the fourth and eventually took the lead on a Karter High single that knocked Hayes out of the game. Bells’ final score came in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI single.

Friday’s game was scheduled to be in Howe, but bad weather pushed it to Melissa. The move did not turn out favorable for Howe who were blanked by Bells starter Austin Young who went all seven innings, allowing only two hits and three walks while striking out eight Bulldogs.

Howe went with Pecina who has had the hot hand recently, but only lasted 1.2 innings on the night. Pecina gave up three earned runs on five hits and three walks while striking out two hitters. He was relieved by sophomore Carson Daniels when went 5.1 innings, allowing one earned run on five hits and two walks while striking out one.

At the plate, Howe’s two hits came from Hough and Luke Lopez. Haley walked twice and Pecina walked once for Howe’s

Senior Brett Burnett came on in relief of Tuesday’s game at Bells. Photo by Carla Burnett.

only baserunners in the game.

Howe will face Leonard this week starting at home on Tuesday and on the road Friday.

Howe’s leading hitters on the season are:

Dylan Hughs 1.086 OPS Austin Haley .960 OPS Ryan Hough .846 OPS

Howe’s leading pitchers on the season are:

Austin Haley 0.571 WHIP Parker Pecina 1.263 WHIP Dylan Hughs 1.582 WHIP Luke Lopez 1.775 WHIP

Parker Pecina. Photo by Carla Burnett.

Howe at Bells

Shelley Luther has become a famed conservative activist after her nationwide publicized arrest during COVID for opening her hair salon and being arrested for it during the shutdown. She spoke to a crowd First Baptist Church of Howe on Monday night mostly about courage.

“It took me going to jail to get courage,” said Luther. “Tim and I are extreme introverts, and we don’t even like people that much. If you told me I’d be doing this two years ago, I’d have said you were crazy.” Luther said before the pandemic, she did not watch the news or care about what was going on. She said she’s embarrassed by how little she knew or cared about what was going on in the world outside of herself. But when faced with trying to pay her late mortgage and feed her children, she chose to open her salon despite the shutdown. She went above and beyond the CDC guidelines for sanitary appropriations and were one of the first in the country to install plexiglass barriers.

Shelley Luther in Howe. Staff photo.

No, because I will put him on blast. If you listen quietly, you’re being told what to do.” Luther said this experience has drawn her closer to God and that’s where the courage is found.

“I’m not afraid and God teaches us to not ever be afraid,” said Luther.

The first speaker was Serena Ashcroft who spoke on the negative effects of masks on children. They filed a grievance against their school district and went before the school board, but nothing was done.

After being arrested, she received letters from all over the country including one from a 77-year-old Vietnam veteran who called her an American hero which she says embarrassed her.

“I could not back down when I had people like this depending on me,” said Luther. “That’s when I knew right away that it wasn’t about our little salon anymore. It never was.”

She said her movement, populist in nature, is not about race, religion, or political party.

“We have the key and the right to open our business and do what we feel is right for our family,” said Luther. “All of us have the key. You’re holding the key. If you don’t want to wear a mask— don’t. It’s your body. When you put these people in a corner, that’s when they react. Do you think Governor Abbott likes me? “By law, our children are entitled to a quality education which means in-person learning,” said Ashcroft who said virtual learning is not a quality education. “But the schools are still not doing it. They are making the children go virtual if they do not comply with the dress code.”

Allen West to speak in Denison April 28

Republican Party of Texas Chairman Allen West will speak to the Texoma Patriots on April 28 at 7 pm at Red River Cowboy Church at 3800 Highway 691 in Denison.

The Texoma Patriots invite anyone and everyone and ask those to bring friends, neighbors, and members of the family including youth. There is no charge to attend or to join the Texoma Patriots. Texomapatriots.org.