The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

The Jasper Bulldogs proved once again that you cannot make mistakes and beat them. The Bulldogs won the regional final series in two games to punch their ticket to Austin. They won game one 5-4 and game two 8-3.

Jasper used a five-run second inning to hold off a strong Orangefield comeback in game one at Lamar’s Vincent Beck field. Jasper used three hits, two walks, one hit batsman and an error to score their runs. After the second inning Bobcat ace Jace Statum only allowed three hits. Statum pitched a complete game while giving up seven hits, walking three, hitting one batter and striking out seven. Orangefield drew first blood in the first inning.

Statum drew a walk and advanced to third on a ball that bounced away from the Jasper catcher, who then threw it into centerfield. Statum then scored on a wild pitch. In the second inning the Bobcats picked up two hits, a single from Corey Huckabay and Austin Scales. Orangefield charged back in the third inning with three runs. Statum led off with a single.

Jonathon DeRamus then hit a grounder that was mishandled by the short stop. Chase Angelle drew a walk to load the bases, and all three move up ninety feet on a wild pitch scoring Statum. Quinton Evans then received a free pass to load the bases again. Huckabay hit into a fielder’s choice that put DeRamus out at the plate. A failed pickoff attempt allowed Angelle to score. Huckabay then drew another pickoff attempt, allowing Evans to race home to make it a one run game. The Bobcats were only able to pick up two more hits in the contest, one in the fifth inning by Angelle, and one in the sixth inning by Derrick Evans. Both hits were singles.

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In the second game Jasper used a three run first inning, and a five run sixth inning to seal the deal.

Chase Angelle absorbed the loss on the hill.

He gave up eight hits, walked two and struck out two.

The Bobcats had six errors in the contest.

The Bobcats offense was led by Jacob Felts who went two for two and drew two walks.

Orangefield struck for two runs in the second inning.

Quinton Evans was hit by a pitch, followed by a free pass to Kyle Fontenot.

Derrick Evans then plated two RBI’s with a single.

In the third inning the Cats picked up two singles by Felts and Jonathon DeRamus.

However, they did not score again until the fifth when they tied the game up at three.

DeRamus led off with a single, and advanced to second on a wild pitch.

With a base open Felts drew the intentional walk that was followed by an RBI single from Chase Angelle.

Corey Huckabay added a single in the frame also.

That was all the Bobcats’ offense as Jasper put the game away with their five-run sixth inning.

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Coach Bennett and the Bobcats did not reach their goal of reaching the state tournament, but they had an amazing run. This season will be talked about for years to come. It started with an undefeated district championship and ended with Coach Bennett reaching a milestone (his 100th win by beating the No. 1 rank team in the state, Robinson). The year also saw three division one signees – Jacob Felts (Texas), Jace Statum (Texas A&M) and Chase Angelle (Lamar) – and a trip to the regional final. These were only a few of the highlights.

Congratulations to Coach Bennett, his staff and the Bobcats. Not only have you made Orangefield proud but all of Orange County also. Thanks for the memories.

A Season Not To Forget

Record 29-6-0

Undefeated district champs.

1st round bye in the state playoffs.

Area round win over Bryan Rudder.

Regional quarterfinal round win over West Orange Stark.

Regional semifinal round win over # 1 rank Robinson.

Top five batting average.

Jace Statum .486

Jacob Felts .484

Chase Angelle .418

Corey Huckabay .417

Quinton Evans .361

Top five runs batted in.

Chase Angelle 48

Jacob Felts 39

Quinton Evans 36

Corey Huckabay 33

Jace Statum 30

Homeruns Leaders.

Quinton Evans 10

Jace Statum 5

Chase Angelle 5

Jacob Felts 3

Corey Huckabay 2

Jonathon DeRamus 1

Top five stolen bases.

Jace Statum 27

Jacob Felts 9

Corey Huckabay 7

Derrick Evans 5

Jake Best 3

Jonathon DeRamus 3

Pitching records.

Chase Angelle 11-1

Jace Statum 10-3

Quinton Evans 4-0

Jacob Felts 3-1

Strikeouts

Jace Statum 111

Chase Angelle 77

Quinton Evans 28

Jacob Felts 20