Showdown looms with Silsbee on Friday night
H-J rally stuns Dawgs
By GEORGIA PURDY Newsboy Correspondent

Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy JASPER REAGAN STEPHENSON is airborne for the catch at second base during the Bulldogs' loss to Hardin-Jefferson Saturday.The loss dropped Jasper into a three-way tie for first place in District 21-3A.

Errors cost the Jasper Bulldogs a needed win this week. After Saturday night's 7-6 loss to Hardin-Jefferson, the district race is once again in a three-way tie between Jasper, Silsbee and Bridge City.

Jasper had gained the lead after knocking off Bridge City last week. Hardin-Jefferson also defeated Silsbee Tuesday night, which put them one game out of first.

Saturday night's tangle was not a pretty game for the 'Dogs who have a reputation for excellent defense and few errors. They committed five errors; one of those cost four runs in the second inning. The Hawks also had their share with four for the night.

"We just didn't play well. Their pitching was good but that doesn't account for the loss," Coach Shawn Mixon said. "We didn't make easy, simple routine plays. We didn't make the plays on defense that we should have made. We will have to play a lot better to win these last games."

Newsboy photos/Georgia Purdy JASPER'S TRAVIS REAGAN was a one-man wrecking crew against Hardin-Jefferson as he did his best to keep the Bulldogs in the district contest. Reagan struck out 12 on the mound and was two-for-three with two home runs.

The game went nine tense innings. Both teams scored a run in the first. Taylor Hart scored on a sacrifice bunt by Ryan Ellis.

The Hawks then capitalized on Jasper's error in the second with four runs to take the lead.

Jasper pitcher Travis Reagan hit the first of his two solo home runs in the third inning. Chantz Pryor and Parker Phillips scored in the bottom of the fourth. Reagan added his second home run in the fifth, tying the game. The Bulldogs took the lead in the sixth. The Hawks scored again in the top of the seventh to tie the game again at 6-6 and then scored again in the top of the ninth on another Bulldog error. Jasper loaded the bases in both the seventh and eighth innings and got the tying run on in the bottom of the ninth but was not able to bring him home.

Travis Reagan threw the entire game and struck out 12. He was two-for-three at the plate with two home runs.

"Travis was really the bright spot," Mixon said. "He did everything you could ask him to do. He did an excellent job and deserved better."

Justin Parsons was two for three with two RBIs; both Blake Weller- Alexander and Chantz Pryor doubled, and Ryan Ellis squeezed in a run.

Thursday night the Bulldogs beat West Orange- Stark 11-0 in five innings. Aaron Stephenson threw a complete game, gave up two hits and struck out nine.

"Aaron did a real good job," Mixon said. "He threw the ball well and we played a good game."

Taylor Hart led off with a home run and was three for four as was Malcolm Bronson. Travis Reagan hit a three-run home run to end the game. Jasper had 11 hits with only one error. The Mustangs got two hits and committed three errors.

Jasper takes on Silsbee Friday night home. Game time is 6:30 p.m.

Newsboy photos/Georgia Purdy JASPER'S CHANTZ PRYOR is safe at second in the contest with Hardin-Jefferson. The shortstop dropped the ball and the second baseman moved in to assist on the play. Hardin-Jefferson rallied late to defeat Jasper and force a three-way tie for the District 21-3A lead.