Mustangs drop four against tough opponent

Even though they were able to play at home, the Lovell Mustangs Class A American Legion Baseball team fell to a strong squad from Miles City, Montana, four times Friday and Saturday in Cowley.

The doubleheader was originally scheduled to be played in Miles City, but the inability of the Mustangs to find accommodations led to the game being switched to Wyoming.

Miles City prevailed 4-1 and 15-4 Friday, then swept the home team Saturday, as well, 6-1 and 11-2.

Perhaps the best game of the series was the first game on Friday as Alex Hedges of the Mustangs engaged in a pitchers’ duel against two Miles City hurlers. Miles City hit a three-run home run in the top of the first inning, but after that Hedges settled down and allowed only one more run in the ensuing six innings, a single tally in the top of the third inning.

The Mustangs plated one run in the bottom of the third when Lafe Files was hit by a pitch, advanced on a single by Mac Morgan and came home when Cash Wassmer grounded into a double play. Tucker Jackson and Hedges led off the sixth with singles but were left stranded as Miles City retired the final three batters in order and three more in the seventh.

Hedges went the distance, allowing four runs, three earned, on eight hits and three walks in seven innings of work, striking out two. Morgan led the offense with two of Lovell’s five hits.

Game two saw Miles City score early and often, plating three runs in the first inning, one in the second, six in the third, three in the fourth and two in the fifth. The Mustangs tried to keep place, scoring two runs in the first and two in the fourth, but the visitors from Montana pulled away.

Morgan went 2 for 2 at the plate to lead the Mustangs, and Wassmer, Owen Edwards and Cove Jolley each saw time on the mound for the home team.

Saturday games

The first game Saturday was competitive. After Miles City took a 3-0 lead after two innings, the visitors added one run in the fourth and two in the seventh. Lovell plated one in the bottom of the fourth when Hedges doubled and came home on a single by Kyle Wilson.

Jackson started on the hill for the Mustangs and allowed five runs, two earned, on six hits and four walks in 6 1/3 innings of work, fanning seven. Dallin Bischoff finished up, allowing one more run.

Files and Wilson had two hits each for Lovell.

Game two was all Miles City as the Eastern Montana squad scored two runs in each the first, second and third innings before Lovell scored twice in the bottom of the third on a two-run triple by Wilson. Miles City added one run in the fifth and four in the seventh.

Wassmer had a strong day at the plate for the Mustangs, going 3-4, while Wilson went 2-4. Wilson hit both a double and a triple.

Files and Wilson threw for the Mustangs.

Now 3-9, the Mustangs will head to Spanish Fork, Utah, this weekend for four games. Friday, the ‘Stangs will play Brighton AS25 at 12:30 p.m. and the Sanpete Storm Chasers at 2:30 p.m. at Swenson Memorial Park.

Saturday, the Mustangs meet Suga Suga at 11 a.m. and LPK at 3 p.m. at Sports Park West.