Dawgs remain in tie for first in District 21-3A
By GEORGIA PURDY Newsboy Correspondent

Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy JASPER'S TAYLOR HART is out at home plate after an attempted score from third on a wild pitch against Bridge City. Hart scored one run and had one stolen base on two attempts during the Bulldogs' 3-2 victory over the Cardinals. Jasper is now tied with Silsbee on top of the District 21-3A standings.

The fans came early and stayed late when the Bulldogs took on Bridge City last week. With three teams- Jasper, Bridge City and Silsbee tied for the district top spot, the tension was visible.

When the Cardinals scored two runs on two hits in the first inning, the game became a nail-biter right through the bottom of the seventh inning when Malcolm Bronson bunted in Aaron Stephenson from third base to give the Bulldogs a 3-2 victory.

"The fans were great. They didn't even leave when the game ended," Coach Shawn Mixon said. "It was really exciting."

Jasper and Silsbee remain tied at 8- 1. Bridge City is 7-2 and Hardin- Jefferson, 6-3.

Travis Reagan got the win, coming in the fourth inning to take over from left-hander Justin Parsons. Reagan struck out seven in four innings, gave up two hits and had no walks.

Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy JASPER'S TRAVIS REAGAN is congratulated after securing the final out in the seventh inning against Bridge City.The Bulldogs scored a run in the bottom half of the seventh to capture a crucial 3-2 victory over the Cardinals and move into a first place tie for District 21-3A with Silsbee.

Jasper scored three runs on two hits, both by Bronson.

"Our pitching won it for us, also executing the bunts and squeeze plays," Mixon said. "We played good defense."

Jasper was especially aggressive on the bases, taking a number of risks on steals. Taylor Hart scored Jasper's first run in the third inning.

He walked, then Bronson bunted him to second and outran the ball to first. Hart stole third and then stole home on a wild pitch. Bronson stole third but was left on base. Later, Hart was thrown out on an attempted steal home in the fifth inning.

Jasper's second run came in the bottom of the sixth when Travis Reagan walked, Parsons hit and got on base on a Bridge City error. Reagan stole third, then scored on a wild pitch with Chantz Pryor at bat.

"We knew we weren't going to hit that guy so we had to do some things we don't usually do," Mixon said. "We had to take the risks. Actually, we hadn't even practiced the steal home, but the pitcher was behind and threw a wild pitch so we went for it. We don't usually do that more than a couple of times a season."

Bridge City committed four errors, the 'Dogs none. Cardinal pitcher Jeff Stringer struck out 11.

"With a pitcher like Stringer, they haven't had to rely defense," Mixon said. "When you strike out 14 or 15 a game, you don't have to make that many defensive plays. In his last game against Hardin-Jefferson, he struck out 15. We knew we had to just put the bat on the ball and force them to play defense."

Jasper defeated Hamshire-Fannett 9-2 Thursday. Justin Parsons was the winning pitcher.

He threw five innings, and gave up three hits and one run; Aaron Stephenson threw two.

"Our pitching was good. Aaron did a pretty good job," Mixon said. "He struck out four, gave up one hit and one run."

Hart, Bronson and Parsons were two-forfour at the plate.

"We just need to keep doing what we're doing and getting better each week," Mixon said. "We're in pretty good shape right now.

This week's games are Thursday and Saturday. Jasper plays at West Orange-Stark

Thursday night and will be at home Saturday against Hardin-Jefferson. Game time is 7 p.m.