Central edges Jackson 3-2

JACKSON -- Central senior hurler Amanda Nichols joyfully tossed her glove up in the air while sprinting to the dugout after recording the final out against Jackson on Wednesday.

Nichols said that she had good reason to be happy. The victory marked the Tigers' second win over the Indians in four days. And those two wins are the first two wins Central has posted over Jackson since Nichols was a freshman.

Nichols tossed a complete-game two-hitter, giving up two unearned runs, while striking out three and walking four as the Tigers won 3-2 at Jackson City Park.

"We haven't beat them in two years, so I was just really excited to beat them again," Nichols said about her celebration. "It feels awesome, especially since this is my senior year. It's really exciting because they're our rivals and they always beat us.

"I just mixed up the ball -- kept it high and low, inside and outside."

Nichols also was excited because her team improved to 3-0 against schools in its district. Central recently posted a 4-3 victory over Hillsboro.

Central improved to 4-4, while Nichols improved her record on the mound to 4-3. Jackson dropped to 2-5 while Indians starting pitcher Jessica Tuschhoff fell to 1-3.

AARON EISEHAUER ~ aeisenhauer@semissourian.com Jackson's Brittany Hastings was out at second base as Central shortstop Victoria Schabbing prepared for the throw during Wednesday's game.

Central's other win against Jackson came Saturday. It was a 4-3 extra-inning victory at the Haberstroh Cor Jesu Tournament.

"With this group of kids, every time we've won a close game, it's been that type of reaction," Central coach Amy Blattel said about the rest of the team's celebration. "I think those kids are starting to understand the importance of sticking with a game and not giving up. You take this group last year, we got down and we would give up sometimes. This group has learned to stick with it."

Both Nichols and Tuschhoff pitched well, keeping the game scoreless through four innings.

Nichols pitched to the minimum 12 batters through the first four innings. She allowed two runners during that stretch. She gave up a single in the first, but the runner was erased quickly trying to steal second base. She gave up a walk in the second, but her defense turned a double play.

Central pitcher Amanda Nichols delivered a pitch to Jackson's Katelyn Jones during their game Wednesday.

While Nichols cruised, Tigers freshman Brittany Perkins delivered offensively.

Perkins, hitting in the No. 2 spot as the designated hitter, put Central ahead 2-0 in the fifth with a two-run double to left field.

It was one of three hits in the game for Perkins, who was inserted into the varsity lineup at the tournament last weekend.

"She's been putting the bat on the ball since we started using her as a DH," Blattel said. "As long as she continues to do that, good things will happen. She has come through with some pretty key hits for us over the last few days and she's been doing her job in the No. 2 hole as well, putting the bunt down and things of that nature."

Jackson's Jessica Tuschhoff delivered a pitch Wednesday.

Jackson capitalized on two Central errors in the bottom of the fifth to tie it 2-2.

But the Tigers retook the lead in the seventh.

Emily Myers started the frame by reaching on an error. She was bunted to second base by Victoria Schabbing. Perkins then singled to left to put runners at the corners with one out. Nichols knocked home the lead run with a grounder to shortstop. The throw went home and the play at the plate was close.

Tuschhoff said her team needs to do a better job of hitting earlier in games.

"We waited too long," she said.

Jackson coach Amanda Forester said her team is progressing, and added that the Indians must hit better.

"I thought tonight we played a lot better," Forester said. "We just couldn't get our hitting around."

Central 000 020 1 -- 3 6 4

Jackson 000 020 0 -- 2 2 2

WP -- Amanda Nichols, 4-3. LP -- Jessica Tuschhoff 1-3. 2B -- Brittany Perkins (C). Multiple hits -- Central: Perkins 3-4. Records -- Central 4-4, Jackson 2-5.