Mustangs Legion C squad drops three of four

It’s been a learning process for the Lovell Mustangs C American Legion Baseball team in recent days as the Mustangs dropped three of four games against Powell and Gillette.

The Mustangs split with the Powell Pioneers 15U squad last Wednesday, May 22, winning the first game 17-6 and dropping the nightcap 12-5. Saturday at home, the Mustangs were swept by the Gillette Prep Renegades 7-5 and 12-0.

In game one May 22, the Mustangs led 5-2 after two innings, then broke the game wide open with six runs in each the third and fourth innings to crush the Pioneers by 11 runs.

The Mustangs banged out nine hits and benefitted from eight walks issued by Powell pitchers. Rocco Rael, Jaxen Baxendale, Ryan Grant and Taevyn Gruell had two hits apiece for the Mustangs, and Hudson Miller and Aaiden Walker scored three runs each.

Rael threw a five-inning complete game, allowing six runs, only one earned, on seven hits while walking just two and striking out four.

A pair of five-run innings by the Pioneers doomed the Mustangs at Powell in game two. Powell plated five runs in the second inning, but the Mustangs were hanging tough trailing 6-3 when Powell had a second five-run outburst in the fifth, then went on to win 12-5.

Miller, Kannon Owens, Gruell and Easton Morgan had the four Mustang hits, with Morgan ripping a double.

Walker, Morgan and Miller performed mound duties for the Lovell Mustangs, allowing nine hits and issuing nine walks.

Saturday at home

The Mustangs went toe to toe with a tough Gillette squad Saturday in Cowley. Lovell plated two runs in the first and three in the second to lead 5-4, but Gillette took the lead with a pair in the fourth inning and one in the seventh as the Mustang bats went cold.

Baxendale, Morgan, Grant and Zander Stahl had two hits each for the Mustangs,
and Morgan drove in two runs, Baxendale and Grant one each.

Easton Morgan pitched five and a third innings and was replaced by brother Harper Morgan. The duo allowed seven runs, but only two were earned.

Gillette blanked the Mustangs 12-0 in game two Saturday, as the home team could generate only single hits by Miller, Easton Morgan, Jaxson Miller and Kade Durtsche.

Miller took the loss on the mound, allowing six runs on four hits and four walks in two innings of work, fanning two. Dallin Bischoff threw the final three innings, allowing six runs, four earned, on 10 hits and a pair of walks, whiffing two.

Now 2-6, the Mustangs are scheduled to host the Riverton Raiders C team at 1:30 p.m. Friday, followed by the Lander Legends C squad at 3:45.

Now 2-6, the Mustangs will travel to Green River for a tournament this weekend, meeting Riverton, Lander, Green River and Jackson Friday and Saturday, then will host Riverton Monday at 3 and 5 p.m. in Cowley.