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Mustang bats are still potent in split By GREG STILES CENTRAL POINT -- Pitching might be the Medford Mustangs' Achilles' heel in the American Legion baseball postseason. But make no mistake about it, the Mustangs can hit the ball. The Central Oregon Storm, which swept a doubleheader from the Mustangs (44-9) a week ago, handed Medford another setback, 8-6, Thursday at Anhorn Field. Then, the Mustangs' hitting machine cranked into action, producing a 21-11, five-inning victory. After going 29-for-69 on the day, Medford's team batting average for the season is .403. The team record of .375 was set two years ago, when the Mustangs finished second in the Legion World Series. Central Oregon's seven-run fifth-inning was the Mustangs' demise in the first game. The Mustangs demonstrated their mastery of the art of the big inning in the second game, exploding for 10 second-inning runs. Medford nearly gave the lead back in the third, but scored nine runs in its final three turns at-bat to end the game. Jim Pickrel led the Mustangs' hit parade with a 5-for-7 effort, scoring twice and driving in seven runs in the two games. Kenny Halpin was 4-for-5, scored five times and drove in four runs. Colby Gonzales was 5-for-8, scored five runs and drove in one. Casey Campbell went 4-for-8, scored twice and drove in four, while Nate Mayben went 4-for-8, scored four times and had three RBIs. The Mustangs play Dr. Stewarts of Roseburg in a key Area contest at 6 p.m. tonight at Legion Field in Roseburg. FIRST GAME Central Oregon ..........000 070 1 -- 8 10 1 Medford .....................014 000 1 -- 6 12 3 Quick and Tenney; G. Foster, Conklin (5), Beers (7) and Brownell. W -- Quick. L -- G. Foster (7-3). 2B -- CO: Curfew, Sanders, Quick. M: Gonzales 2, Brownell. SECOND GAME Central Oregon .............128 00 -- 11 12 5 Medford .....................2(10)2 43 -- 21 17 1 Clason, Soth (3) and Tenney; Empio, Conklin (3) and Shine. W -- Conklin (7-0). L -- Clason. 2B -- CO: Tenney, Quick, Wilson. M: B. Foster, Gonzales, Shine. HR -- CO: Tyvand, Wilson. M: Halpin 2 (3,4), Pickrel (4). Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.