Indians wrangle Mules in C6D1 opener

The Jackson Indians defeated the Poplar Bluff Mules 10-0 in five innings on Wednesday in the Class 6 District 1 Tournament at Jackson Indian Stadium. Senior Quinton Borders had a big day at the plate going 2-3 with a home run in the first inning.

The Indians wasted no time getting started, scoring three runs in the first inning. Senior Caden Bogenpohl hit a triple to deep centerfield that scored sophomore Cooper Rhodes. Borders was next up and shot a line drive home run over the left field fence to score Bogenpohl and himself.

Jackson head coach Josh Roach said he was happy with how the team was swinging the bat early.

“We're really happy with our guys swung the bat early especially, Quinton Borders had a great day,” Roach said. “He’s getting the barrel on the baseball and he's really hot right now.”

In the second inning, Jackson kept the offense coming with a sacrifice fly from senior Henley Parker that brought in fellow senior Jack Wyatt.

The defense of Poplar Bluff kept the Indians in check through the third and fourth innings, but Jackson exploded for six runs in the fifth. Rhodes and Bogenpohl both scored on a wild pitch, senior Landon Watkins singled to center and scored senior Steven Schnieder, Wyatt doubled to bring in Watkins, senior Grant Dotson tripled to right and scored Wyatt and finally Parker singled to left to bring home Wyatt, and the victory.

On the mound, Carson McDaniel got the win for Jackson, going five innings with seven strikeouts and two walks. Roach said while McDaniel was not as efficient as he usually is, he still threw the ball well.

“He kept their hitters off balance for pretty much the whole day. He only gave up one hit that I know of, if I'm not mistaken,” Roach said. “He’s not allowing any runs, man you can't really ask more than that.”

Jackson will take on the Oakville Tigers in the district semi-final at 1 p.m. on Thursday at Northwest (Cedar Hill) High School. Borders said no matter who they play next they would be ready

“It will be good because we’ve been waiting on this one since last year, whoever we play we’re gonna play business as usual,” Borders said.