Going for the gravy

Former Jackson High School football and baseball standout Tyler Profilet has dreams of being a sports commentator as he pursues a broadcasting degree at the University of Missouri.

Before Profilet heads to the press booth, or maybe the set of ESPN, he'll have one more weekend in the sun to finish out his playing days in style.

Profilet and his Jackson Senior Babe Ruth teammates will compete in that organization's state tournament starting today.

Up first for Jackson will be a 7:30 p.m. matchup with host Jefferson City. The double-elimination tournament will conclude Sunday, with an if-necessary championship game set for Monday.

"It used to be a big deal to see your picture or name in the paper, but when you become part of the media, you see it in a different light," Profilet said. "So it's nice to be inside the game."

A year removed from his playing days at Jackson High School, Profilet made the move from American Legion to Senior Babe Ruth baseball this season. With the help of Profilet and a few other veterans who graduated last year, Jackson has racked up a 29-8 record heading into the state tournament.

Profilet said since he figured he would be a little rusty having been away from the game for a year, Senior Babe Ruth provided a relaxed but competitive atmosphere for his return.

"It's definitely more a relaxed atmosphere in the dugout and coaching staff," he said. "But the guys come in and know where the line stops. When we're at the ballpark, we're there for business."

The Senior Babe Ruth team also provides Profilet the chance to play with several of his former teammates and classmates. Brandon Stearns, Travis Niswonger and Trevor Thompson all finished their high school careers with Profilet at Jackson in 2004.

"It's the last go-round, so it's been a lot of fun going out with these guys," Profilet said.

For the six 19-year-old players on Jackson's roster, the state tournament likely will represent the final organized baseball they will play. Jackson's top two hitters, Profilet and Thompson are among those six, along with Niswonger and staff ace Stearns.

"It does mean a lot," Stearns said of finishing his career at the state tournament. "For about three or four of us, this will be the last time we touch a baseball on a team."

Added Niswonger: "I just want to go out with a bang. I've been playing since I was 7. I want to bring back a title."

Bringing back a state title would keep the season alive. The state champ advances to a regional tournament in Ottumwa, Iowa. The World Series is set for Aug. 12 to 19 in Newark, Ohio.

This will be the first state appearance for Jackson Senior Babe Ruth since 2000. During the season, Jackson has suffered through just one two-game losing streak en route to 29 wins.

Profilet said while the initial goal was just to make it to state, all sights are now set on winning it.

"The guys have an attitude now that we are going to win," he said.

The key to Jackson's success this season has been a deep pitching staff. Of the six Jackson pitchers with 10 or more innings, only one has an ERA above 3.30.

Stearns, the team's victory leader at 9-0, boasts a 2.13 ERA in a team-high 56 innings, while Kyle Brown has a 2.04 ERA in 48 innings.

"We've had very strong, consistent pitching all year long," Jackson coach Paul Sander said. "We have five starters that all have good stats."

On offense, Jackson has six regulars hitting better than .300, with Thompson and Profilet both hitting over .400. Thompson leads the team with a .467 average along with a .551 on-base percentage. Profilet is not far behind with a .402 batting average and a .523 on-base percentage.

Despite missing several games down the stretch due to injury, Thompson will be available for the state tournament.

"I'm sure he's the best hitter in the league," Sander said of Thompson. "The guy's a good all-around, hard-nosed player. He's a winner."

Whether Jackson comes out of the eight-team field on top or not, the team will have enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in Jackson Senior Babe Ruth history.

"We wanted to build this program back up and make the state tournament," Sander said. "Everything else is gravy."