Bulldogs win opener against Orangefield
By GEORGIA PURDY Newsboy Correspondent

Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy JASPER'S AARON STEPHENSON dives head-first into third base during the Field of Dreams tournament.

The Jasper Bulldog baseball team defeated Orangefield 3-1 last week in their district opener and then went on to win all games in the Jasper tournament over the weekend.

Justin Parsons threw a complete game against the Bobcats with 11 strikeouts.

He gave up three hits and walked two.

"Justin made them stand up," Coach Shawn Mixon said. "We also played good defense."

Jasper scored all three runs in the first inning. Taylor Hart and Cord Yates walked, and Malcolm Bronson got on base on an error. Parsons walked, which brought in Hart, and John Bradley hit a single that drove in Yates and Bronson.

In the tournament, the Bulldogs first defeated Hemphill 6-5. Parker Phillips got the win.

He threw four and a third innings, gave up three runs on five hits and struck out five. Cord Yates got the save.

At the plate, Parsons was two for two with two doubles.

In game two, the 'Dogs faced Huntsville and walked away with a 9-5 win. Derrick Sowell was the winning pitcher.

He threw six innings, gave up three hits and struck out three.

"Derrick did a good job for us," Mixon said. "We also swung the bats pretty well."

Malcolm Bronson was three for four; John Bradley was two for three with a home run. Parker Phillips was also two for three.

Aaron Stephenson tripled and drove in a run.

In the final game against Vidor, the Bulldogs won 12-3. Aaron Stephenson was the winning pitcher. He threw four and two third innings, struck out six, gave up only one hit and walked one.

Hart, Bronson, Bradley, and Ty Parker were two for four; Yates was two for five.

"It was a good tournament," Mixon said. "We've really been playing good defense. Hemphill is a very good team. I was impressed. I think they will do some damage in 2-A. Huntsville and Vidor are always good. It was a good tournament and a good week for us."

Jasper has two big district games this week. They were playing Bridge City on the road last night and will go up against Hamshire-Fannett at home Friday night.

Game time is 7 p.m.