By Ronnie Hughes

Leader Correspondent

NEW CANEY — The West Orange-Stark Mustangs took Game One of the Class 4A area round playoff versus the Giddings Buffaloes Thursday night 3-2.

A stellar defensive effort led by first baseman Caleb Ramsey, who stretched himself to the limits to snag every ball thrown his way to keep runners off the bags was key in the Mustang victory. Jack Dallas notched 11 strikeouts en route to the complete game victory and is now 2-0, in the 2016 post season after torching Splendora last week and he moves to 7-5 overall.

 

The Mustangs gave up two early hits in the top of the first inning to the Buffaloes, but Jack Dallas battled back notching two strikeouts to leave two runners stranded. KJ Miller kept his stellar season at the plate going leading off with a single to right field. Miller is batting right at .500 on the season. Following a Payton Robertson fly-out, Jack Dallas, would bring home Miller on an RBI single just past the first baseman. Mustangs held a 1-0 lead after one inning of play.

 

Jack continued his dominance on the bump as he’d strikeout all three batters in the top of the second making it five consecutive going back to the first inning. WO-S went three-up-three-down to make for a quick second inning before notching another run across in the third. Following another quick three out inning for the Buffaloes, KJ Miller led off the bottom of the inning with a single for the Mustangs. Robertson hit a monster triple to bring home Miller while an RBI sac fly by Jack Dallas would score Robertson for a 3-0 Mustang advantage after three complete.

 

Zack Albers scored the first run of the night for the Buffaloes after stealing home on a wild pitch. Albers led off the inning with a double, but the Mustang defense would prevent more runners from reaching the bags.

 

The Mustang bats went stale for the remainder of the game leaving six batters stranded over the next three innings. The Buffalo were only able to muster one more run against the Mustangs with Jack Dallas striking out the final four of six batters.

 

Game Two will take place today at 5p.m. in Porter, Texas with Game Three immediately following if needed.