By Curtis Carden

It was close but no cigar for the Bulldogs against their cross-county foes.

Hampton pulled within a run in the fifth inning and had the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, but University High would hold on to take a 10-9 decision in Watauga Valley Conference action Tuesday night in Carter County.

In a game that lacked a bit of defensive flair on both sides, offense was at a premium when the Jr. Buccaneers (7-6, 4-3 WVC) got on the board with a five-run, first-inning effort.