A cross-county rivalry can carry just as much weight as an area rivalry, and for the Goshen Eagles coming home with a win was that much sweeter as they faced the Pike County Bulldogs on Monday.

The Bulldogs fell to the Eagles 21-4 in a five-inning contest, and Goshen head coach Robby Kinsual said he had actually been worried about his team coming into Monday’s game.

“The only thing I was worried about was we were going to take the game lightly,” Kinsaul said. “I was worried about that, but good teams find ways to compete no matter who the opponent is … I’m proud of them.”

Kinsaul credited to the team’s aggressiveness to its highest run-count this season.

“I’m not really the type of coach to look at how many runs we scored,” Kinsaul said. “The kids like it, and I guess a lot of that has to do with us being aggressive. We hit the ball and put it in play. I think we struck out three times, but by putting the ball in play good things happen a lot of times. And, we were able to do that.”

Bulldog head coach Tony May said his team learned a lot about themselves in Monday’s game and he was thankful the team was able to have some hits in the bottom of the third and fourth innings earning the team its four runs.

“After coming off those Dale County games, we lost 10-0 and 5-0, we’ve been asking to get our bats going,” May said. “We got them going at times, we just weren’t consistent enough… we had a couple of times there we thought we were going to do it, but we didn’t bunt and lay down really well. Our fielding just backtracked on us tonight.”

The Eagles commanded the game from the get-go earning three runs in the first inning, five in the second inning, three in the third inning, eight in the fourth inning and two in the top of the fifth. Kinsaul kept most of his starters in until the fourth inning.

Kinsaul had also told many of his players they would see time on the mound, and was able to throw three different pitchers including Braxton Stewart, Adam Turner and Tyler Phillips. Kinsaul said the team had been able to learn a bit about themselves and their pitching styles.

“I think we learned a little bit. Braxton kind of struggled with his control a little bit to start with,” Kinsaul said. “Adam came in and pitched the third inning and he learned something about himself. Tyler … I told him I was going to throw him and he wanted to do that and did very well. He got a double play. I know he was tickled to death. His eyes got about as big as a tire when he saw me call a curve ball, he was waiting on it.”

Both teams have an exciting week ahead as they head into playoff deciding games.

May said the Bulldogs have been playing on their heels over the last few games, but as they move into games against Zion Chapel Tuesday and Abbeville Thursday he hoped the team would understand they have something at stake.

“I told them when we got together we’re playing scared,” May said. “We’re playing back on our heels. I told them, the season’s not over. We go to Zion Chapel tomorrow, and Zion Chapel is out of the playoffs. We are not. As tough of a season we have had, we take down Abbeville, we’re in the playoffs. We have something to play for, so let’s play.”

Goshen will face New Brockton Thursday and Friday, and Kinsaul said the team was eager to get the games underway. The matchup will decide how the Eagles are ranked in the area heading into playoffs.

But, before they head into their deciding games, Kunsaul said he wanted to wish Pike County good luck in their match ups against Abbeville.

“I just wanted to wish Pike County the best of luck the rest of the season,” Kinsaul said. “They’ve been working hard, but they still have a chance to make the playoffs. On behalf of our team and our coaches we would like to say good luck to them. We know they have to play Abbeville still, but we just wanted to wish Coach May and Coach Henderson good luck.”