LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — Sullivan West varsity softball is really going to the “dawgs.”

The Lady Bulldogs celebrated the 2017 season of swats with a non-league win on Monday, April 24 in their introductory outing on a brand spanking new field by defeating the Lady Tornadoes of Tuxedo 10-2.

Sullivan West (1-3) posted their first win of the year, while the visitors lost their opening game of the season.

Izzy Nearing picked up the win for the home team, striking out seven on the way to victory.

Leizel Schott singled and drove in a couple of runs, Bridget Hart doubled and Anissa Baurenfiend crossed the plate three times in a game that saw the Lady Bulldogs stack the deck twice in the late innings in the run-rich game.

For Tuxedo, Kiera Costello picked up two hits and an RBI, while Ale Maynard had a hit and an RBI.

Michelle Hines, coach of the Lady Tornadoes (0-1), said her squad got off to a slow start this year due to a lot of lousy weather.

“Everything was a wash,” she said, adding “We’re making the transition from practice to the real deal.”

Hines said she sees “a lot of potential” in her young players.

Mike “Elmo” Ellmauer is in his 34th year at the helm of Sullivan West softball.

“I have a lot of new ones,” he said of his team.

“It was nice to get the win… we’ll take it.”

Lady Bulldogs co-captain Bridget Hart takes to the field as shortstop.

“We have a strong defense, [and] our hard work paid off today,” said the 17-year-old senior.

Schlott anchors the catcher position behind the plate for Sullivan West.

“Our pitcher did a wonderful job,” said the 17-year old junior of the performance of Nearing up on the mound.

“We had very strong base running.”

Okay, so waz-up with the “dawgs?”

Sullivan West is known as “The Home of the Bulldogs,” and over time devoted fans have taken to the bleachers in the “Dawg Pound”.

While nobody was waving any “Dawg” banners that afternoon, several folks showed up to support the team, accompanied by their favorite pooches.

So in a sense, Sullivan West really went to the dogs.