In what ESPN would call an “instant classic,” the Mineola Yellowjackets survived a strong Quitman comeback effort to win an exciting 8-7 victory over the Bulldogs Friday evening at Tom Brady Field.

It was a towering blast off the bat of ‘Jacket clean-up man Spencer Joyner which sailed just right beyond the centerfield 360-foot sign. Bulldog hurler Landon Richey had just struck out the first two batters in the top of the sixth inning when Joyner connected with a fast ball. Richey came back to get Ty Bunch on a pop-up down the third base line, but Joyner’s bat had given the ‘Jackets the 8-7 edge.

Mineola took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning after getting a single from J.J. Gandy and a double from Joyner. Quitman struck back in the bottom of the second inning to knot the score at 2-2. Bulldog Justin Matthews had a key double to spark the Quitman offensive effort.

After Mineola’s first two batters struck out in the top of the third inning, the ‘Jackets scored five runs to take a 7-2 lead.

Richey replaced Carson Dickens on the mound for the Bulldogs. Mineola had three hits, two walks, and a strikeout victim made it to first base after a pitch got away from the Quitman catcher as a ‘Jacket runner crossed the plate. A perfect bunt for a single by Gandy sparked the ‘Jacket offensive eruption in the inning. 

The Bulldogs cut the lead to 7-3 when Mathews scored of a fielder’s choice in the fourth frame to make it 7-3 with Mineola leading.

The Bulldogs tied the game at 7-7 with four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Davis Watson started the rally with a single followed by a Richey double in the left center gap. Dickens blasted a double followed by another Matthews double. That left the score at 7-7 going into the top of the sixth inning.

Next up was the heroic powerful swing from ‘Jacket veteran slugger Joyner for the home run which made the final difference in the  8-7 win for Mineola.

Kaden Bell took the win on the mound for Mineola. Good defense and timely hitting were the keys to the Yellowjacket victory. Joyner not only had the big home run, he also added a single and a double leading his team’s offensive efforts going 3-4.

The District 13-3A standings have Harmony, Winnsboro, Mount Vernon and Mineola in the top four playoff spots with Quitman just one game behind the ‘Jackets in the playoff race.