Mustangs make a strong run at state tournament

One year after winning it all, the young Lovell Mustangs put together a strong showing at the American Legion Division II State Tournament in Green River this week.

The Mustangs won three games at the state tournament and placed third in the eight-team field. It all started with a 13-8 slugfest win over Wheatland Thursday, followed by a dramatic come-from-behind win on Friday over Jackson, 7-6. Cody shut out the Mustangs 8-0 Saturday, but the ‘Stangs rebounded to eliminate host Green River 6-5 on Sunday.

At that point there were just three teams left as Jackson upset Cody 10-1 Sunday night, giving each of the remaining teams one loss each. Lovell played Jackson to stay alive Monday afternoon, and this time the Teton County team prevailed 3-0, eliminating the Mustangs and setting up a rematch with Cody. Cody won the state title with an 11-1 win Monday night.

“It’s always the goal to be playing baseball on the final day of the tournament,” manager Michael Jameson said. “Over and over these boys showed grittiness and heart, and they found ways to win. It was great to see the whole team contribute to our success. Jaxen Baxendale had a phenomenal state tournament and played his best baseball of the season in Green River. The performance Cash (Wassmer) had against Jackson sums up exactly who he is – an absolute DOG. There is nobody that wanted the ball in their hands more than him, and he rose to the occasion and had a game many will never forget. Rocco Rael is as phenomenal for us on the mound and pitched like a true ace.

“This tournament definitely leaves us with high hopes for the future, with so many of our young players seeing significant playing time and getting experience in that state tournament atmosphere. Losing Cash and Kyle (Wilson) will be a huge blow for us, as they are obviously great baseball players – first team All-State but also great leaders and teammates.”

Lovell 13, Wheatland 8

A massive inning propelled the Mustangs over the Wheatland Lobos in a first-round game on Thursday. Lovell was clinging to a 3-2 lead when the Mustang bats exploded for 10 runs in the top of the fifth inning. Big hits in the inning included an RBI double by Wilson, RBI singles by Baxendale and Mac Morgan and two-run singles by Kannon Owens and Rael.

Trailing 13-2, Wheatland rallied for five runs in the bottom of the fifth and added one more tally in the seventh, but it was far too little and too late.

Morgan had three of Lovell’s 11 hits in the game, and Owens, Wilson and Baxendale had two hits apiece. Owens drove in three runs, Wilson, Rael and Baxendale two each. Rael got the start on the mound and allowed two runs in four innings of work on four hits and no walks, striking out four. Dallin Bischoff, Owens, Morgan and Wilson pitched in relief.

Lovell 7, Jackson 6

The Mustangs showed their never-say-die attitude in a come-from-behind win over Jackson Friday. Trailing 6-0, they plated one run in the top of the fifth inning, two in the sixth and four in the top of the seventh while shutting out the Giants over the final three frames.

Owens singled and scored on a Rael base hit to get things started in the fifth, and Bischoff and Morgan had RBI singles in the sixth. In the seventh, Dax Mangus and Baxendale started the inning with singles. One run scored on a Jackson error, and a sacrifice fly by Owens scored another. A clutch two-out, two-run triple by Wassmer gave the Mustangs the lead.

Lovell banged out 15 hits in the game as Morgan went 4-5, Baxendale 4-4 and Wassmer 3-5. Wassmer went the distance on the mound, allowing six runs on nine hits and three walks, fanning two.

Cody 8, Lovell 0

After getting 15 hits Friday, the Mustangs couldn’t find a hole in the Cody defense Saturday as Cody pitcher Phillips threw a no-hitter at the Mustangs. The Cubs led 3-0, then put the game away with five in the sixth.

Wilson and Easton Morgan shared mound duties for the Mustangs.

Lovell 6, Green River 5

The Mustangs stayed alive with another dramatic win against the host Knights on Sunday. Trailing 1-0, Lovell scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth as Baxendale rapped a two-run single, followed by run-scoring singles off the bats of Easton Morgan and Aaiden Walker.

Green River scored four in the top of the seventh to lead 5-4, but Lovell tied the score with a run in the bottom of the frame on a pair of Green River errors, sending the game into extra innings.

Mac Morgan worked out of a jam to blank the Knights in the top of the eighth, and Easton Morgan scored the winning run in the bottom of the inning on a wild pitch after reaching on an error and advancing on a walk to Walker and a bunt single by Owens.

Owens and Easton Morgan had two hits each for the Mustangs, and Baxendale drove in two. Bischoff started on the hill and pitched seven strong innings, allowing five unearned runs on three hits and four walks, fanning three. Mac Morgan pitched one inning of scoreless relief.

Jackson 3, Lovell 0

Lovell’s Cinderella run ended with a loss to Jackson Monday afternoon. The Mustangs out-hit Jackson 6-4 but were hurt by four errors. Jackson scored one unearned run off Rael in the first and added two more in the fourth.

Owens had two hits for the Mustangs, Mac Morgan, Wilson, Mangus and Bischoff one apiece. Rael allowed three unearned runs in six innings of work on four hits and one walk, striking out three.

The Mustangs finished the season 20-28 with a team that featured only two “seniors” in Wilson and Wassmer. All other players are eligible to return next season.

The Mustangs were honored with the Sportsmanship Award at the tournament, Jameson noted.

All-State

Mustang veterans Wassmer and Wilson were named to the first team Wyoming All-State Team during the state tournament, each completing successful final seasons as Mustang standouts. Owens was selected for the second team. All three have been invited to play in an all-star game this weekend in Green River, Jameson said.