By Caleb Adams

Leader Correspondent

ORANGEFIELD — The Oragefield Bobcats got past the West Orange-Stark Mustangs 5-1 in District 22-4A action at Cormier Field Friday evening as they remain in the hunt for the 22-4A crown with three games remaining in the regular season.

One explosive inning helped win it for the Bobcats (16-4, 5-2), who are tied with LC-M (23-5, 5-2), who lost to Silsbee 6-4 Friday. The Bobcats and Bears are now just a game back of first-place Bridge City (17-7, 6-1).

Johnny Armstrong had a good outing for the Bobcats, everything one could want in a start, longevity and able to get out of most situations. Armstrong pitched himself out of multiple problems and without using too many pitches. Armstrong went five innings, allowing one hit and compiling seven strikeouts on the night.

Jacob Dominguez got the nod for the Mustangs (10-14, 1-6) and had a solid outing, only having tough mistakes in the fourth and second inning. He used the ground ball and popups to get out of situations, not having the speed to blow past batters. Dominguez went five full innings, scattering nine hits, netting three strikeouts and five runs given up.

The Bobcats won this game during a four-run inning in the fourth, putting the tied game out of reach. The spark of offense for Orangefield made it easy for the pitchers when they were on their game.

The Bobcats struck first with the help of two sacrifice hits. Blake Bradley was knocked in by Ryan Deutsch thanks to an infield sacrifice hit as the Bobcats snared a 1-0 lead after two innings of an early pitchers’ duel.

The Mustangs fired back in the top of the third inning. Kaleb Istre reaches home thanks to a William Robles single up the middle. The Mustangs would get the bases loaded, but Armstrong was able to pitch his way out of a real messas the game was tied at 1-1 after two and half innings.

The Bobcats take their second lead of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning and held on to it. Deutsch knocked in two with a hard single to center, Gunnar Jones and Blake Bradley score on the hit to make it 3-1 Bobcats. Kent Micheal plated in Deutsch and Brett Fregia, who reached on a bunt singles the Bobcats took a 5-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a big four-run inning.

The Bobcats will look to keep up the consistent play up and make their case for a push for the title as they will venture to Ronnie Anderson Field at WO-S Tuesday to take on the Mustangs again.