The Quitman Bulldogs didn’t just win last week; they made a statement.

Over the course of two games against district rival Mineola, Quitman combined timely hitting, aggressive base running, and strong pitching to complete a clean sweep, taking a 5-2 win on Tuesday, March 31 at home, and following it up with a 6-1 victory on the road on Thursday, April 2.

Tuesday’s opener had the early feel of a tight contest, but Quitman capitalized on key moments to take control. Mineola struck first in the top of the opening inning. Quitman’s Lawson Ollive delivered a sacrifice fly, and Matthew Ballew showcased his speed by stealing home, giving the Yellowjackets a quick 2-0 lead. Quitman answered immediately, tying the game in the bottom half thanks in part to a Mineola error.

The Bulldogs broke things open in the second inning. Ben Boisclair ripped a double to bring in a run, and another Yellowjacket misreckoning helped stretch the lead to 4-2—an advantage Quitman would not relinquish.

On the mound, Canin Peppers delivered a steady performance, earning the win after allowing two runs and three hits over 5⅓ innings, striking out four and walking three. Logan Davis pitched relief, tossing 1⅔ innings of zero hits and four strikeouts to secure the save.

At the plate, Peppers and Juan Ramirez led the charge with two hits apiece, while Boisclair and Ramirez each drove in a run. Quitman’s speed was also a factor, as they stole the bases five times and kept constant pressure on the defense. Defensively, the Bulldogs were flawless, with Mason Williams handling a team-high nine chances.

Mineola managed just three hits in the game, with Ollive driving in a run on a sacrifice fly. Beckham Bowker, Preston Haskin, and Carson Threlkeld contributed hits across accounts, while Ballew was active on the bases with multiple stolen bases as the Yellowjackets totaled four steals.

Quitman carried that momentum into Thursday and took firm control early. The Bulldogs wasted no time jumping ahead, as Davis Watson singled down the right field line to plate a run, and Colten Barkdull followed with a run-scoring double to make it 2-0 in the first inning.

The Bulldogs padded the lead in the third, again taking advantage of Mineola mistakes. An error, a Logan Davis groundout, and a Barkdull sacrifice fly pushed the lead to 5-0 and put the game firmly in Quitman’s hands. Watson was dominant on the mound, earning the win with six innings of two-hit ball. He allowed just one unearned run, struck out nine, and walked three in a commanding outing. Davis again closed things out, picking up his second save of the series.

Offensively, Watson helped his own cause by going 2-for-4 to lead Quitman in hits. Barkdull drove in two runs, anchoring the middle of the lineup, while the Bulldogs continued to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

Mineola was limited to just two hits, coming from Ballew and Ollive. Wyatt Salonen accounted for the Yellowjackets’ lone RBI, and Ballew added two more stolen bases. Bowker took the loss, pitching 3⅔ innings and allowing five runs on three hits.