Gloth’s home run highlights Scott City’s win over Sikeston

In what was originally scheduled to be the 2024 home opener at Scott City, the Rams battered the Bulldogs of Sikeston 9-1 on Saturday in Scott City.

Jackson Gloth highlighted the offensive onslaught with a two-run home run in the second inning to take a 3-1 lead. Glory’s big hit came after Gavin Venable’s single tied the game at 1-1.

Gloth has driven in a run in four of the Rams’ five wins so far this season.

“He's been swinging a bat really well,” Scott City head coach Skylar Cobb said. “He’s barreling balls up there in the bottom of our lineup and he's been doing it all year. The winds are blowing in again today and he barreled one up and it still got out. So he's just real hot right now and we like what he looks like. He's been a real good force.”

Sikeston’s only run came on an error in the first inning. Scott City pitcher Brayden Mashek threw a complete game with one unearned run on two hits and seven strikeouts. Between the official home opener and the “unofficial” opener against Clearwater a week ago, the senior has thrown 12 strikeouts in 11 innings without an earned run.

“He's always been a smart guy on the mound,” Cobb said. “He knows how to pitch and we're just really thrilled to have him have early success. That's going to be big for this team this year.”

Unlike most of the players on the Scott City roster, Mashek only plays baseball. While his teammates were competing on the football field and basketball court, Mashek was working on improving his pitches and strengthening his fastball.

“From last year until now he's worked the entire time,” Cobb said. “He's been throwing and getting stronger and he's improved his velocity by 7-8mph, and that's really been the key. It just makes everything better for him.”

Scott City�s Jackson Gloth rounds the bases after hitting a home run against Sikeston on Saturday, March 23, in Scott City, Mo. Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.com

The Rams added three runs through the third and fifth innings. A pair of errors led Lane Holder to reach base safely and make it to third base to later score on a ground ball by Luke Umfleet in the third inning. The same defensive miscues provided Gloth with a chance to reach base and get in position to score on a grounder by Mark Panagos in the fourth inning. Holder led the fifth inning on a double and then scored from second base on a sacrifice fly by Umfleet to add to Scott City’s 6-1 lead.

The Rams earned their three runs in the sixth inning when Kobe Watson hit a two-run single, followed by an RBI base hit by Umfleet. While nobody on the Rams had multiple hits, Umfleet led with three RBIs, followed by two from Watson and Gloth.

Scott City’s weekend win came after a road loss at Farmington on Friday snapped their season-opening winning streak at four games.

“It was a good bounce back after a loss,” Cobb said. “They took it well. They understood that you're not gonna go undefeated so for them to bounce back, a day game after a night game and have a pretty solid performance here and in less than ideal weather, we're pretty happy with that.”

Scott City (5-1) hosts Bernie on Monday before hitting the road to Advance on Tuesday and East Prairie on Thursday.