Red-hot Mustangs take down Evadale

[baseballjunkie]

Van Wade
The Orange Leader

WEST ORANGE — With the District 21-3A baseball season cranking up Friday, 21-3A opponents of West Orange-Stark better find the Mustangs on their radar pretty quick because the Mustangs are ready to make a statement. The Mustangs are still tuning up for a rugged 21-3A race as they battered the solid Evadale Rebels 11-0 in five innings Saturday in non-district action at Anderson Field. Junior pitcher Zane Anderson was superb on the hill as he allowed just three hits while striking out nine Rebels through five frames of work. Jordan Darnall and Darius Mitchell both had the big hits for the Mustangs (10-4) as each one ripped three-run home run blasts. The Mustangs have been rolling of late and they won the Kirbyville Tournament last week, getting two wins over 21-3A rival Hamshire-Fannett in the process. “The kids are playing with so much confidence right now,” said Mustang coach Jessie Riojas. “They’re ready to come out here and work everyday and are really dedicated. They’re seeing the work pay off with some dividends by getting some nice wins of late.” The Mustangs picked up five runs in the bottom of the second against the Rebels. Taylor Turley led off with a walk and Anderson drew a one-out walk. With two outs, Mitchell blasted a three-run homer over the centerfield fence off Rebel starter Tyler Tucker. Josiah Phares then reached on an infield single and Justin Sparrow was hit by a pitch and Darnall followed with a two-run single to left. WO-S tacked on a run in the third. Jacoy Finney drew a leadoff walk. Anderson came up with a single to center and courtesy runner Van Jordan eventually scored on a throwing error by the Rebels on a pickoff attempt at second. The Mustangs slammed the door with five runs in the fourth. Sparrow and Clayton Gearhart started it with back to back singles to right and Darnall brought them home with a three-run shot over the leftfield fence off Evadale reliever Dustin Potts to make it 9-0. Turley came up with a single and Finney drew a walk and James Thomas brought home Turley with a RBI single to left. Jake Klinkhammer capped the scoring when he scored Jordan with an infield hit. The Mustangs finished with 10 hits with Darnall going 2-for-3 with five RBI. “What more can you say about Jordan Darnall, he’s been on a tear for us all year,” said Riojas. “He’s one of those kids that tries to be a perfectionist. That’s impossible, to be perfect, but that’s what Jordan expects of himself and the kids feed off that kind of confidence. Proud to see Darius take one out of here today too. That will give him a boost.” Aaron Cravy, batting ninth in the order, went 2-for-2 for the Rebels as Anderson dominated the rest of the lineup. The Mustangs close out their non-district schedule Tuesday at Sulphur (La.) before opening 21-3A play at home Friday against the Orangefield Bobcats. “Last year, the district race left us with a bad taste in our mouths because we competed well but came up a little short of the playoffs,” said Riojas. “The kids remember that, and it has made them that much hungrier. Regardless of who they play, they feel like they can compete against anybody. We’re looking forward to it.”