The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

For The Record

An incredible season of baseball for the West Orange Stark Mustangs has come to an end.

On Thurday the Mustangs lost their battle for the UIL Class 4A State Baseball Championship 7-3 to the Argyle Eagles at Disch-Falk Field in Austin.

Jack Dallas got the start on the hill for the Mustangs but was relieved by Grant Anderson after the Eagles leaped ahead 5-0 in the top of the second inning. The Mustangs answered in the bottom of the frame as Chase Rutledge singled. Ryan Ragsdale ripped a RBI double and Rutledge rounded bases to score for a 5-1 second inning.

Argyle scored again in the top of the fourth inning for a 6-1 lead and increased the lead to 7-1 in the top of the fifth.

But the Mustangs battled back In the bottom of the inning. Payton Robertson drew a walk and advanced to second base on a sacrifice fly by Grant Anderson. Jack Dallas hit an RBI single as Robertson came in to score. Aidan Anderson doubled putting Mustang runners on second and third. Rutledge hit a sacrifice fly that scored Dallas to make the score 7-3. With two outs Aidan Anderson stole third. Ragsdale walked and Garret also walked loading the bases. Chase Dallas was thrown out at first ending the inning.

Neither team scored in the final inning and the Mustangs season came to an end.

WOS entered the playoffs as the third place team from Dist. 24-4A. From there they would battle their way to the top claiming the Region III Championship after losing the first game of three consecutive series.

On Wednesday the Mustangs had delivered an 8-0 shut-out to the tournament's No. 1 seed, El Campo in the state semifinal round.

The 2015 West Orange-Stark Mustangs were: Seniors; Grant Anderson, Kalen Garrett, Darren Blagburn, Grant Lapoint-Teate, Jermaine Mitchell, Miguel Gobert, Aaron Blagburn, Aidan Anderson, Austynn Wolfford and Chase Rutledge. Junior; Payton Robertson. Sophomores; Jack Dallas, Ryan Ragsdale and K.J. Miller. Freshman; Chad Dallas.

Congratulations to the 2015 West Orange-Stark Mustangs and head baseball coach Shae Landry for an impressive season. All of us at The Record Newspapers and TheRecordLive.com are proud of you!

Photo - Grant Anderson throws to first base for the out during Region III playoff action against Carthage.