Central handles Sikeston

Jamie Pickel and Jared Green pitched few varsity innings before this season.

Their mound performances over the past two days helped the Central baseball team to a pair of impressive SEMO Conference home victories.

Pickel got the win and Green picked up a save Wednesday as the Tigers held off Sikeston 7-4.

That came after Tuesday's 2-1, nine-inning triumph over Jackson in which Green notched the victory by hurling the final inning.

"I'm very pleased" said Central coach Steve Williams, whose squad improved to 3-1 with its third straight victory. "We had a good game last night against Jackson, coming back to win it late, and our kids bounced back well today.

"Both pitchers did a good job today."

Pickel, a junior left-hander, primarily worked on the JV level last year, although he said he did have one varsity start.

Making his first start of the season, Pickel allowed Sikeston (0-2) five hits and one earned run over 5 2/3 innings, with two strikeouts and three walks.

"I felt really good," Pickel said. "I had too many walks, but it's early in the season."

Pickel, who had thrown just one inning previously this year, gave up three hits over the first two innings, but just two hits the rest of the way.

"I was very pleased with Jamie for his first real outing," Williams said.

When Pickel ran into trouble in the sixth inning with Central ahead 4-2, it was time for Williams to bring in his first-year closer.

A one-out single and a two-out walk brought the go-ahead run to the plate.

Green, a senior, came in from center field. After the runners moved up to second and third on a passed ball, Green got Mike Botkin on a pop foul to end the threat.

"That was a big out," Williams said.

Green said this is his first year to pitch, but he is enjoying his new role as the Tigers' closer that has so far netted him a win and a save.

"It's kind of new, but I like it," Green said.

Central added three runs in its half of the sixth -- Green helped himself with a two-run single -- to go ahead 7-2.

That became important when Green struggled in the seventh, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks, before closing out things.

"I was glad we got those insurance runs," he said.

The Tigers had nine hits -- all singles -- led by senior second baseman Hide Tanaka's 3-for-3 performance that included a walk and two stolen bases.

Pickel, senior shortstop Blake Smith and senior third baseman Ryan Grigaitis added RBIs for the Tigers.

"We hit pretty good," Tanaka said.

Central also continued to play strong defense. The Tigers committed just one error and made several solid defensive plays, including turning a double play.

"We've been playing good defense," Williams said.

The Tigers scored three first-inning runs off Sikeston senior left-hander Charlie Bohannon -- Grigaitis and Pickel had RBI singles -- and kept at least a two-run lead the rest of the day.

"I like the way we're playing so far," Williams said. "We've got a very coachable group of kids who are working hard."

Sikeston 010 010 2 -- 4 7 5

Central 310 003 x -- 7 9 1

WP -- Jamie Pickel, 1-0. LP -- Charlie Bohannon. 2B -- Kai Lambert (S), Jordan Williams (S). Multiple hits -- Sikeston, Lambert 2-2, Blair Bohannon 2-4; Central, Hide Tanaka 3-3. Records -- Sikeston 0-2, Central 3-1.