Dawgs turn back Silsbee for big win
By GEORGIA PURDY Newsboy Correspondent

Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy JASPER'S AARON STEPHENSON is congratulated by his teammates after he hit a three-run home run in the bottom of fourth inning.

The Jasper Bulldogs did what they had to do Friday night- beat Silsbee for the third place spot in District 21-3A. After Tuesday night's 11-1 loss to Hardin-Jefferson, the 'Dogs dropped into a third place tie with the Tigers, both with an 8-4 district record.

Justin Parsons went the distance on the mound as the Bulldogs defeated Silsbee 9-5, leaving them in sole possession of third place, but that could change again.

Hardin-Jefferson is one up on Jasper. The Hawks also won Friday night. Jasper was playing Kirbyville Tuesday night in the last regular season game. But the Hawks face Bridge City Tuesday night and a loss would put them tied with the Bulldogs for the second place.

"If that happens, we either have a play-off or we flip for places," Jasper Head Coach Shawn Mixon said.

Either way, the 'Dogs secured a play-off spot with their win over the Tigers.

Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy JASPER'S MALCOLM BRONSON fouls off the ball, then hits one of two doubles on the next pitch. Bronson had two doubles and two singles against Silsbee.

Silsbee jumped out ahead with two home runs in the first inning. Neither scored in the second. In the bottom of the third, the Bulldogs put up four runs. Lead-off batter Sam Alvis walked as did Cord Yates. Malcolm Bronson came to the plate, doubled and scored Alvis. Tyler Ernest walked, loading the bases. Then Justin Parsons walked, which scored another run. Ty Parker doubled on an error, bringing in the final runs. The next two batters struck out, leaving Bronson on third base.

The Bulldogs scored three more runs in the bottom of the fifth on a threerun home run by Aaron Stephenson. Silsbee added three in the top of the sixth, making it a 7-5 game. The 'Dogs added two more in the bottom of the inning for the 9-5 win.

Malcolm Bronson led the hitting with two doubles, two singles and a stolen base.

Despite some strange calls on the bases about supposedly missed tagouts, the Bulldogs were back in action with some great defensive work in the infield by Tyler Ernest, John Bradley, Cord Yates, Parker Phillips, and catcher Ty Parker, and Parsons, plus an outstanding throw-out at second base by Ryan Bronson from left field.

Jasper was not so lucky against Hardin-Jefferson last Tuesday. With a 1-0 lead after the first inning, the wheels came off in the third, giving the Hawks a 4-1 advantage.

Parsons started on the mound. He struck out five, gave up seven hits and walked two- one intentionally. Cord Yates came in with two outs in the bottom of the third to retire the side. Yates gave up one hit and no walks in one and a third innings. Derrick Sowell took over in the bottom of the fifth and gave up four hits and a walk.

It was an unusual game in more than one respect- one where whatever could happen did. Jasper committed five errors, more than they have done in at least two seasons if not more. Good hits were met with some outstanding catches by their opponents. They also fell to the 10-run rule. Coach Mixon said that he cannot remember that ever happening except once, many years ago in a tournament.

"We've never been 10- run ruled in a district game," he said. "I think that happened one time years ago in a tournament. I can't explain what happened. It was just one of those games, one you don't ever want to see again. We just didn't play well."

Jasper was held to only 3 hits and committed 5 errors. The loss put the Bulldogs in the must-win situation with Silsbee Friday night.