Jasper nips Cardinals in 2-1 Game Three nailbiter

[GingerSnap]

Jasper nips Cardinals in 2-1 Game Three nailbiter

Gabe Pruett

The Orange Leader

BEAUMONT — Bridge City Cardinal centerfielder Johnny Dishon was left to wonder what might have been Saturday at Lamar University's Vincent Beck Stadium.

With Dishon on deck, Bridge City senior Troy Bolton ripped a double with the Cardinals down 2-1 with freshman Joe Robertson on first.

Robertson blazed past second and headed for third with Bridge City Coach Billy Bryant waving him around.

Mid-way through Bryant held up his hands and for Robertson it might have been too late as he rounded third and stumbled.

Robertson got up but it was too late again as Jasper third baseman's Parker Phillips' tag was in time for the final out.

Dishon could only head back to the dugout without getting a shot to tie the game or even win the game in his final game as a Cardinal before heading to Louisiana State University.

The 2-1 loss ends the Cardinals two-year reign as Class 3A Region III champions and puts Jasper (32-7) in the State Tournament for the first time since 1985.

The Cardinals (28-8-1) loss spoiled an unbelievable performance from freshman Matt Hicks who started the game on the mound and pitched beyond what could have been expected.

Hicks went 5 2/3 innings giving up two runs on five hits with four strikeouts and just one walk.

The final run scored by Jasper in the bottom of the sixth was set up by Travis Reagan's leadoff double to left field.

Justin Parsons moved Reagan to third on a ground out and with two down, Blake Weller-Alexander was hit by a pitch.

John Bradley then got the game-winning hit with a single to center making the final score of 2-1.

"It is always disappointing to end the season on a loss," Bryant said. "The kids had a great year. We just couldn't overcome our mistakes. These are high school kids playing a game and they did the best they could and that is all I could ever ask."

Mistakes were a huge part of the series for the Cardinals who had 13 errors in the three-game series.

Jasper won Game 1 8-6 Thursday behind six Cardinal errors. Bridge City committed another four errors Friday but held on to win 8-6 to tie the series.

"We just were not able to make the plays when we were supposed to," Dishon said. "Our hats go off to Jasper and good luck to them."

The Cardinals tied the game in the top of the third as Hicks helped himself while at the plate.

Bridge City junior Jaden Dillon led the inning off with a double left field.

Bolton pushed Dillon to third with a single before Dishon flew out to the pitcher.

Hicks then came up and hit a shot to short and the Bulldogs sacrificed a run for an out as Dillon crossed home plate making it 1-1.

Jasper broke out the gates in the bottom of the first as Taylor Hart led off by reaching on an error by Bolton.

Hart was then able to move to third when Malcolm Bronson reached on Bolton's second error of the inning.

Reagan then ripped a RBI single to right giving Jasper an early 1-0 lead.

Bolton quickly made up for the mistakes with a second-to-short-to-first double play to end the Jasper inning.

Jasper starting pitcher Justin Parsons did the rest after working 2 2/3 innings Friday night.

Parsons went the distance Saturday and only allowed five Cardinal baserunners to reach second base or beyond, including Bolton's double in the seventh.

Parsons allowed one run on five hits and struck out four batters with two walks.

Hicks also did a nice job working with runners on base as Jasper stranded five runners on the pads, four in scoring position.

"I am very glad the team and coaches had the confidence to go to me in this situation," Hicks said. "I just wish it would have turned out in a different way. This is the best team I have ever played on. From Jordan (Lemoine) to Johnny, these guys were great. I will never play with a group of seniors again like we had this year. It was a great experience. Now we tip our hats to Jasper and have to hope for them to go win it all."

Dishon was also full of compliments for a Bridge City team who was not expected to make too much noise this season after losing a lot to the 2006 graduation.

"We were young this year but we had a lot of faith," Dishon said. "We had a great group of guys but we just fell a little short. I am so proud of everybody and couldn't ask for more. They all did great."

Jasper will join Liberty-Eylau, Sinton and Abilene Wylie in the state tournament.

[Guest Orangeboy]

Great Job this year Gabe. Glad we met up once again after so many years. Look forward to visiting with you as the Cards take to the diamond again next year.

[Guest Bulldog]

Ya thanks Gabe. I really enjoyed the interviews this year...Keep up the good work. BC has a bright future and you better be covering it so i can read about my boys......

[Gabe]

COACH MOORE it was great to meet up, kinda crazy in a way. Jeff it was great getting to know you and the rest of the guys. I enjoyed it and Ill definitely still around this time to watch these guys grow. All the Cardinals were great to cover and cant wait for next year. Good luck to all the seniors, even the ones not heading to college to play baseball.

[KFDM COOP]

Stringer will still be a Cardinal!!  ;D

[Guest Bulldog]

Stringer will still be a Cardinal!!   ;D

LU baby....

[Tigger]

Thanks to Orange Leader's Gabe Pruett and Penny Record's Mark Dunn. You both provided great coverage, personal stories and photos of BC players.  We really appreciate all you do for BC. Can't wait to read more next year!  Thanks 

[KFDM COOP]

They'll be all over the Football coverage as well!!

[Gabe]

Yup, take a few weeks off or so and get ready for football huh...It doesnt stop but Im a baseball guy if you cant tell. Love football and basketball seasons in their own way but baseball is where it is.

[NedDog]

Congrats to Jasper.  Best of luck at the State Tourney next weekend.