BAINBRIDGE – Turns out, their bite was worse than their bark.

Bainbridge dropped a close game to undefeated Garfield, 3-1, late last week in girls varsity softball.

It was only the second time all season the Bulldog offense has been held to single digits.

Garfield’s Nicola Simpson held the Spartans to a single unearned run on three hits while striking out 17.

Malia Peato was almost as effective in the circle for Bainbridge, giving up three runs on seven hits while striking out 10. (The umpire’s strike zone seemed to be as large as the “Woofs!” from the Bulldog dugout were loud.)

Kaia Simpson, Nicola’s sister, led the Garfield offense, tripling in the first run, then scoring a second run on an infield grounder in a two-run first inning.

Peato singled in the Spartans only run in the sixth.

The other bright spot for Bainbridge was freshman Ruby Raymundo, who doubled twice in the loss.