Dawgs in battle for playoffs
Jasper tied with H-J in district
By GEORGIA PURDY Newsboy Correspondent

After the Jasper Bulldogs' unexpected 14-12 loss to Hamshire-Fannett April 4, the second spot in District 21-3A got a little more complicated, throwing the race into a three-way tie between Jasper, Silsbee and Hardin-Jefferson.

While the 'Dogs were at home whacking West Orange-Stark 19- 2 Friday night, Hardin-Jefferson took down Silsbee 7-2 leaving the Hawks and 'Dogs in a twoway tie at 8-3 and the Tigers at 7- 4.

But that still doesn't settle the matter, for the Bulldogs were playing the Hawks last night in Sour Lake and will go up against Silsbee Friday night at home- all three teams still jockeying for play-off spots since Bridge City is clearly in first place at 11-0.

And that brings up Jasper Head Coach Shawn Mixon's standard quip: "You can always get beat in this district."

Prophetic words from the Jasper coach, for Hamshire- Fannett came to Jasper with a 2-7 district record and walloped the 'Dogs 14-12, with 12 of those runs coming in the first inning.

The Bulldogs jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a single by Tyler Ernest, followed by the first of Malcolm Bronson's two home runs. John Bradley doubled, Ty Parker got on with an error, and Justin Parsons drove in Bradley.

But trouble followed in the bottom of the inning. Cord Yates took the mound and after giving up four runs was replaced by the left-hander, Parsons. But the Longhorns continued to connect with the ball, jumping out to a 12-3 lead by time the side was retired.

The 'Dogs added two runs in the third and fourth innings and three in the fifth.

With the score now 12- 10, it looked like they might be able to pull out the win.

But the Horns weren't through, tacking on two additional runs in the bottom of the fifth.

Neither team scored in the sixth.

The 'Dogs earned two more runs in the seventh, too little to overcome such a deficit.

John Bradley and Sam Alvis had three hits each, Bronson, two home runs; Ty Parker, a home run; Ernest and Parsons, two hits each; and Parker Phillips, one.

"We didn't make any errors, but you can't give up 12 runs in the first inning and expect to win," Coach Mixon said. "We didn't pitch well and they hit. After the first inning, we actually played a good game and chipped away at the score."

Newsboy photos/Georgia Purdy

The loss puts Jasper in a must-win situation from that point on. So when West Orange-Stark came to town Friday night, the Bulldogs put the bats to the ball, scoring 19 runs to the Mustangs' 2; 12 of those in the third inning.

The Mustangs scored their two runs in the second inning on two errors.

Cord Yates threw the first three innings before sophomore Darren Sowell came in to close.

Sowell walked one and threw four strikeouts in two innings.

Justin Parsons had four hits for the night, including two doubles.

Aaron Stephenson had two hits, with a triple in the fourth inning; Taylor Hart and Malcolm Bronson also tripled.

Parker Phillips got three hits with a double.

John Bradley also hit a stand-up double.

This is a big week for the Bulldogs because playoff positions are on the line. Jasper played Hardin-Jefferson on the road last night and will face Silsbee Friday night at home.

Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy JASPER'S JUSTIN PARSONS takes the throw from John Bradley for the out at first base. Parsons had four hits against West Orange-Stark, including two doubles.

Game time is 7 p.m.

Regular season ends Tuesday, April 22 with Kirbyville at the Wildcat diamond.

JASPER RIGHTFIELDER SAM ALVIS smacks a fly to the outfield.Alvis had three hits against Hamshire-Fannett, a hit and a run scored in the West Orange- Stark game. Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy