Jasper moves on
Rematch with rival Bridge City awaits
By GEORGIA PURDY Newsboy Correspondent

Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy JASPER'S Travis Reagan and Malcolm Bronson are greeted at the plate by Blake Weller-Alexander. Both scored in the 10-run first inning.

Jasper's back-to-back wins of 3-1 and 18-1 over Lufkin Hudson last week puts them in contention with District runner-up Bridge City for the Class 3A Region III Championship Thursday and Friday at Lamar University's Vincent-Beck Stadium.

Travis Reagan fired 13 strikeouts in 10 innings to earn the 3-1 win over the Hudson Hornets in game one.

With the score tied 1-1 in the seventh inning, Aaron Stephenson came in to run after John Bradley singled. Ryan Ellis doubled, driving in Stephenson for what should have been the winning run; however, the home plate umpire ruled that Stephenson missed the bag at third.

In the top of the 10th, Ellis led off with a single, Robert Shellhammer singled on a fielder's choice, forcing Ellis out at third. But the 'Dogs weren't through. Taylor Hart doubled Shellhammer to third and Malcolm Bronson hit a foul ball, which the left fielder caught. Shellhammer tagged up and scored. Hart then went to third on the throw home and scored on a throwing error.

JASPER'S PLAYERS WERE all smiles after completing a two-game sweep of Lufkin Hudson last Friday afternoon. Pictured far left, rightfielder Robert Shellhammer scores after hitting a standup double in game two. Center, after clinching the win over Hudson,Travis Reagan and Ryan Ellis are interviewed by a television station.The usually stoic Reagan can't keep back a smile as teammates tease that the reporter won't get much more than a few monosyllables from him. Courtesy runner Matt Daniels celebrates after scoring one of Jasper's 18 runs over Hudson.

"We didn't get the breaks and had a couple of controversial calls," Head Coach Shawn Mixon said. "But that just makes our kids work harder."

The Bulldogs completely took away the Hornets' sting in game two when they took batting practice in the first inning with 10 runs scored.

Lead-off batter Taylor Hart walked, Malcolm Bronson singled, Travis Reagan walked, Justin Parsons doubled, Chantz Pryor singled, Blake Weller-Alexander walked, John Bradley doubled and Ryan Ellis singled and there were still no outs. After batting around, Hart was up again. He singled and Reagan slammed a three-run homer. When the side finally retired, Jasper was up 10-1.

Ryan Ellis threw the first three innings and left the mound with a score of 15-1. Left hander Justin Parsons came in to pitch in the top of the fourth and when the game ended after the fifth inning, Parsons had five strikeouts and the Bulldogs had added three more runs.

Six players had at least two hits each: Hart, Reagan, Shellhammer, Bronson, Ellis, and Pryor. Parsons had three hits and drove in four runs.

Pryor also had four RBIs and Regan drove in three runs on his home run.

"I'm real proud of them," Mixon said. "The kids feel real good about the way they are playing and that's the best thing."

While the 18-1 win in game two was sweet, the real highlight came when right fielder Jaylon Clotiaux took the field for one pitch. Clotiaux, who sustained a head injury several weeks ago, received a standing ovation from the Bullogs and their fans.

Newsboy photos/Georgia Purdy

When the Bulldogs take on Bridge City in the regional final series this week, they will face a team they have already defeated twice in regular season to earn the District 21-3A Championship; and despite the Cardinals' upset of number one stateranked Carthage last week, Jasper has the capability to pick up a third and fourth victory, giving them at shot at the state championship.

But as usual, Mixon isn't making any predictions.

"If we play like we are capable of doing, we have a chance," he said. "In baseball, anything can happen. A single bobbled ball can make the difference between winning and losing."

The Cardinals have their ace pitcher Jeff Stringer and a strong hitter in fielder Johnny Dishon, but the 'Dogs have multiple strengths: four solid pitchers in Travis Reagan, Justin Parsons, Ryan Ellis, and Aaron Stephenson; a lineup of capable hitters and superb defense.

Outstanding defense has been their strong suit all year. Throughout the season, they've made few errors and through seven playoff games, they committed only two.

In addition, the 'Dogs can run.

"Our pitchers have been throwing where we want to and we've been good on the bases," Mixon said. "We've played real good defense, so far."

Besides Jasper and Bridge City in Region III, there are six teams left to complete this week for regional titles and a spot in the state tournament in Round Rock June 6-9: Lubbock Cooper vs. Abilene Wylie, Region I; Texarkana LibertyEylau vs Celina, Region II; and Sinton vs Falfurrias, Region IV.

The winner of the Bulldog-Cardinal best-ofthree series will play winner of the Lubbock Cooper- Abilene Wylie match.

"There is no way of knowing much about these schools that are so far away, but we know Region III is very strong," Mixon said. "We know Texarkana has two good pitchers. Right now, we just have to concentrate on winning the next series. I think it will be a matter of how well WE play. If we play well, we can stretch this thing out a few more games. This is a fun team to coach and we just hope we can keep playing."

Thursday and Friday nights' games at Lamar's Vincent-Beck Stadium begin at 7 p.m.

If a third game is needed, they will play at 4 p.m. Saturday.