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By Caleb Adams

Orange Leader

 

WEST ORANGE – The West Orange Stark Mustangs snagged a nice win, beating the Jasper Bulldogs in a close 5-2 game on Friday night at Ronnie Anderson Park to end day two of the Certa-Bearden tournament.

The main reason that the Mustangs could grow their lead and keep the Bulldogs at bay was because of starting pitcher Justin Veitch. Veitch would go five innings with one strikeout, allowing one run off four hits. Veitch was able to use his defense to get the majority of the outs for him, finding ways to make guys ground out and pop up that kept his pitch count low early.

Offensively Jacob Dominguez had a standout game, and everything you could hope for from your leadoff hitter. Dominguez would go 3-for-4 with two doubles, a single and a run scored on the night. His ability to get on base to start an inning was key in letting the Mustangs get an early and crucial lead on the Bulldogs.

The Mustangs get on the board in the bottom of the first inning. Dominguez hit a liner to right center for a lead off double, and would be moved to third thanks to a sacrifice bunt from Will Robles. Veitch came up next and hit a deep fly to center, enough room for Dominguez to tag up and score from third as the Mustangs took a 1-0 lead after one inning complete.

Jalen Thompson drove in the Mustangs’ next run. Nic Provost lead off with a single, Dominguez would follow up with a single of his own and Veitch would do the same to load the bases with one out. Thompson would lift one to deep center, giving Provost enough time to hustle home and extend the Mustangs lead. That’s all the Mustangs would find as they nabbed a 2-0 lead over the Bulldogs after three innings are done.

The Bulldogs found some momentum on offense in the top of the fourth inning. Drew Marshall led off reaching on an error by the Mustangs. Aiden Monroe and Clayton Stephenson followed up with walks to load the bases with no outs. Brock Lackey hit a hard grounder in the infield, after it was bobbled Marshall was able to come home and score the Bulldogs’ first run. That’s all they would find as the Mustangs wiggled their way out of a big jam as Jasper trailed 2-1 heading to the bottom of the fourth.

The Mustangs extended their lead with another sacrifice fly. Provost led off with a single and stole second base, Domniguez moved him to third with a grounder to the right side. Robles followed up with a high sacrifice fly down the right field line to score Provost with ease from third. Brennan Gamble kept the rally going with a hard liner up the middle to score Veitch, who advanced to third on a wild pitch as the Mustangs snared a 4-1 edge after five complete innings.

The Bulldogs would fire back in the top of the sixth inning. Brock Lackey led off with a hard double to left center, and moved to third after a grounder to the right side. Grayson Williams drove a single to right field to bring in Lackey from third base. That’s all the Bulldogs would find but they shrank the lead, 4-2 Mustangs heading to the bottom of the sixth.

Dominguez kept up his hot game at the plate with a shot to right center for another double and run for the Mustangs. Provost would reach on a fielder’s choice, Dominguez followed up with a shot to right center, rolling all the way to the fence giving Provost enough time to score from first base.

The Mustangs have a strong showing versus a good Bulldog team. Veitch and the defense were able to carry the lead early and the offense slowly picked it up as the innings went on as the Mustangs head into the final day of their tournament with some great momentum.