Strong team fuels talk of title repeat
By GEORGIA PURDY Newsboy Correspondent

Newsboy file photo ONE KEY RETURNING PLAYER is pitcher Justin Parsons.

The Jasper Bulldogs return with most of last year's team intact, making for another interesting season in what is still the toughest district in the state. The following line-up includes each player's jersey number and comments provided by Coach Shawn Mixon.

#1 Malcolm Bronson, senior; outfielder- Malcolm had a good junior year where he improved each and every week. His speed and ability to handle the bat helped the Bulldogs put pressure on their opponents. He also had a good fall on the football field for Coach Brooks. We will count on him to be one of our top hitters and compete for a spot in the outfield.

#2 Tyler Ernest, sophomore; infielder - Tyler had a good year with the JV last season and has improved in every area since then. He has gotten bigger, stronger and has improved his arm. He looks ready to take over at shortstop. He should be a fun guy to watch for the next few years.

#3 Taylor Hart, senior; outfielder - Taylor is the Bulldog leadoff hitter who has been an all-district performer since his freshman year. Has stolen 72 bases in the last two seasons, with only one throwout. He led the Bulldogs in hits (6) and runs scored (5) at the state tournament last year. He has been a good all-around player for us for a long time.

#4 Justin Parsons, senior; pitcher/outfielder - Justin is consistent and dependable on the mound and at the plate. He has been an All-District pitcher every year since his freshman season. He was the winning pitcher in game 3 of the regional finals vs. Bridge City and four days later beat Abilene Wylie in the State Semi-Finals. (both were complete games) Justin led the Dawgs in batting average (.412) and doubles (14) last season.

#7 Cord Yates, senior; pitcher/ infielder; - Cord had a good fall with the glove at first base and could make our team good defensively by being solid at first. He's a great kid who works hard and is a team guy. He should also give us some pitching depth.

#8 Kyle Beard, senior; utility player - Kyle is a tough kid who hustles and plays hard. He can play a lot of different positions including pitcher. He moved in from Brookeland where he had a great junior year.

#10 Sam Alvis, sophomore; outfielder - Sam has become much stronger and faster since last year. He is tough , hard - working, with a lot of potential. Sam will compete for a spot in the outfield this year.

#11 Ryan Bronson, junior; outfielder - Ryan is another good athlete who has a chance to help us this year. He is good at handling the bat and has a good arm. He should compete for a spot in the outfield.

#16 Aaron Stephenson, senior; pitcher/infielder - Aaron improved as the year went on last season, and as he got better, we got better. He gave us pitching depth that turned out to be one reason we did what we did. He was the winning pitcher in the opening game of the regional final and shut down defending champ Liberty - Eylau in the state championship game. He will pitch and help us with the bat this season.

#19 Xavier Mays, senior; outfielder - Xavier is a great kid who is dependable and hard working. He did a good job for the football team in the fall. He should help us out by giving us depth in the outfield but more importantly will help us on the base paths with his speed.

#20 Ty Parker, sophomore; catcher - Ty has caught a lot of games for a sophomore. He showed signs of being a good one last year. He knows what to do and how to do it. He should give the middle of the order a little power.

#22 John Bradley, senior; outfielder - John played many positions for us last season and was good at them all. He should settle in at second base for us this year. He got the hit that sent us to Round Rock last season and was part of the biggest defensive play of the year that sent us to the tournament. He is good at doing a lot of little things that that help us win.

#23 Parker Phillips, sophomore; pitcher/infielder - Parker stepped in and played errorless ball at third base for much of our playoff run. He has a ton of potential on both the mound and as a position player. He's a hard thrower who has improved his other pitches since last year.

#25 Garrett Harrell, senior; DH - Garrett should compete for the DH spot. He has a ton of power and hits the ball hard. He likes to hit and works hard at that part of the game.

#30 Marx Marcantel, junior; pitcher/outfielder - Marx is one of the most improved players on our team. He is coming off a fall where he was good every single time he pitched. He's a good athlete who should also compete for a spot in the outfield.