Mustangs celebrate strong season

The coaching staff of the Lovell Mustangs American Legion Baseball program gathered at the Lovell Firehall Tuesday evening to celebrate the 2024 season and present player awards at an end-of-the-season potluck dinner.

Manager Michael Jameson began by thanking parents for supporting their players during the season, noting that baseball is a challenging sport with numerous scheduled games during a time of year when many family activities are typically scheduled.

“It feels like we’re heading in the right direction,” Jameson said. “More and more players are coming out, and we’re finding success at all levels.”

He also thanked his coaches and their wives, along with his own wife, Stormy, for all of their time and support. He also thanked the Lovell Chronicle for team coverage.

C team head coach Greg Rael said he’s never had so many players come out for the team and said he appreciates his youngest players for sticking with the season, adding, “I encourage you to keep playing baseball. It’s a great sport.”

Jameson announced that the Mustangs won the sportsmanship award at the state tournament for the third time, which reflects well on his team. He also announced that six players were voted onto the Class A West All-Conference team: Carlos Rodriguez, Tucker Jackson, Lafe Files and Alex Hedges to the first team and Jacob Bischoff and Cash Wassmer to the second team.

Jameson awarded the Offensive MVP award to Jackson and the team MVP award to Rodriguez. Jonathan Morgan, a coach for the C squad, presented a special Mustang Mentor award to Files for his support and mentorship of younger players in the program, calling him “a great example” for the young players to emulate.

Jameson presented the Most Improved Player award to Bischoff, noting that Bischoff was a good player who really turned it up this season, “improving in just about every area of the game.”

Jameson has been tapped as the head coach of the West All-Stars in this Saturday’s Class A All-Star Game in Green River. A home run derby will be held Friday at 7 p.m., and the game is scheduled for noon on Saturday.

Class A All-State selections will be announced after the all-star weekend, Jameson said.