By Caleb Adams

Leader Correspondent

PORT NECHES — The Orangefield Bobcats took down the Hardin-Jefferson Hawks 4-1 at Port Neches-Groves High School Friday night in Game One of a best-of-three Class 4A Region II area round series as their magical ride in the postseason continues.

Orangefield had the help of starting pitcher Ryon Stubblefield, who performed well, to keep the Bobcats on top.

The Bobcat offense supplemented with four runs of their own, but the pitching was outstanding as they got a huge performance from their ace. Stubblefield would last all seven innings with five strikeouts, while allowing just five hits and no walks on the night.

Game Two of the series will be today at 2 p.m. at Port Neches-Groves High School with Game Three to follow if necessary.

The Bobcats snagged the first run of the game in the bottom of the second inning. Mason Gonzalez reached base with an opposite field line drive for a double. Dylan Anthony got on with an error at first and advanced to second off of the error as Gonzalez reached third. Kent Micheal knocked in Gonzalez with a single to right field. Andrew Hoyland then came up and promptly knocked in Anthony with a long double for the inning’s second run.

In the fourth inning, Hoyland got on with a walk, Kadeon Evans, with a sac bunt to moved him to second and Stubblefield got on with a single moving Hoyland to third base. Johnny Armstrong knocked in Hoyland with a sac bunt and Stubblefield slid in for an extra run when Hardin-Jefferson wasn’t watching as the Bobcats took a 4-0 lead after four innings of play.

The Hawks finally scored a run in the top of the seventh inning off of an error by the third baseman, on the bad throw the runner Jase Ruppert came in to score. Even with the run the Bobcats held firm to take the win.