Young Mustangs sweep Thermopolis on the road

The surging Lovell Mustangs C American Legion Baseball team pulled off a sweep at Thermopolis Saturday, stopping the home team 10-2 and 11-5.
The Mustangs improved their record to 13-10 on the season and have won 10 of their last 13 games.
“Our C team played tough in Thermop on Saturday,” head coach Greg Rael said. “We won both, which was great to see, especially for our younger group. They had some kids that could hit the ball, but our pitchers were dealing Saturday -- a lot of strikeouts.
“I think all 17 of our players hit the ball, which was great to see. With these non-conference games there’s not as much pressure to win, per se, so we can work through some different positions on the field. We’re starting to get a feel where some of these younger kids fit defensively.”
Lovell gradually pulled away from Thermop in game one, leading 2-1 after one and adding two runs in the fourth, two in the fifth, one in the sixth and three in the seventh, while Thermop could manage only one more run in the sixth.
The Mustangs received a strong start on the mound by Rocco Rael, who pitched five innings and allowed just three hits and one run while walking one and striking out 13. Aaiden Walker threw the final two frames and allowed one unearned run on no hits and two walks, fanning two.
Mac Morgan led the Lovell offense, going three for four at the plate and scoring two runs. Kyson Crosby was 2-3 with three runs, and Rael, Kannon Owens, Jaxson Miller and Walker had one hit each. Owens had two RBIs, Miller and Walker one apiece.
Thermop led game two 4-2 after four innings, but the Mustangs exploded for four runs in the fifth and five in the sixth to put the game away.
Easton Morgan got the Mustangs going in the first inning with a two-run single, and Taysen Yates, Mac Morgan and Kade Durtsche hit RBI singles in the fifth. Owens doubled
home a run in the sixth, and Zander Stahl and Jaxen Baxendale had RBIs during the same rally, Stahl on a single and Baxendale on a ground out.
Dallin Bischoff started on the hill for Lovell and pitched three innings, allowing four runs, one earned, on three hits and four walks while striking out nine. Mac Morgan picked up the win with three innings of relief, allowing one run on three hits and two walks, fanning five.
The Mustangs had eight hits in the game, one each by Mac Morgan, Durtsche, Baxendale, Owens, Easton Morgan, Harper Morgan, Stahl and Yates.
Doubleheaders
The Mustangs traveled to Cody for a conference doubleheader Wednesday evening and will host Thermopolis for two on Friday at 4 p.m. They travel to Riverton for a pair Monday, with the first pitch set for 3 p.m., then host Powell for a twin bill Wednesday, July 3, at 5 p.m.