Jackson baseball team upsets Poplar Bluff to reach SEMO Conference tournament title game

Hitting with two outs is something the Jackson baseball team has made a habit, according to leadoff batter Ryan O'Rear.

"All though our season, we always seem to hit with two outs, but as long as we're getting it done, we're getting it done," O'Rear said.

Jackson got it done against Poplar Bluff on Saturday at Notre Dame Regional High School. Six consecutive batters reached base with two outs in what proved to be a six-run fourth inning for the Indians that propelled them to a 9-5 victory.

"They're a group that I think understands the situations and the moments," Jackson coach Tatum Kitchen said. "We don't want to strike out looking, especially with two outs. Just give us a chance, and luckily we hit the ball on the nose in the right spot. Things just broke really well for us that inning, and we need every bit of those runs to win."

O'Rear delivered the biggest hit of the inning when he drove home three runs with a double.

"It was a pretty close game coming up to there, Poplar Bluff being a very good team offensively and defensively," O'Rear said. "I just came up there and I was just looking for one pitch. I got the pitch, and luckily enough it hit a hole in the gap."

The Indians turned a 2-1 deficit into a 7-2 lead with the outburst.

"I was looking just for a fastball, right where I can hit it," O'Rear said.

The No. 7 seeded Indians advanced to face Notre Dame for the championship at 7 p.m. Monday at Capaha Field.

"I think our guys just embraced it," Kitchen said about the seed. "It was just a number that reflected the season to this point, but they didn't let that get in their head. We've played well."

After losses to conference foes Central, Kennett, Sikeston and Dexter this season, Jackson reached the title game by upsetting No. 2 seed Kennett and third-seeded Poplar Bluff, a team it defeated 3-1 on April 19.

"I think we've been playing good all though, we just haven't put it together with our pitching, fielding and hitting," O'Rear said. "But now we're starting to click on all cylinders. We're just out there, and we're ready to compete."

Kitchen also attributed Jackson's improved play to more consistent play in all aspects of the game.

"They're a very good group to coach because they're out for blood, but I think they realize their limitations -- or know they have to do everything correct to win," he said. "Lately we've been fortunate. We've played very well defensively. We put the ball in play."

Jackson starter Adam James pitched out of trouble all day. He walked at least one batter in each of the first five innings and had to strand at least one runner in all six innings he pitched.

"My defense bailed me out quite a bit," James said. "We had several good plays in the outfield, several clutch plays and got lucky with some strikeouts here and there. That's about it. Rather be lucky than good."

Poplar Bluff stranded nine runners on base with James on the mound and 10 in the game.

"[Assistant] coach [Bryan] Austin does a tremendous job of calling pitches and putting our pitcher in a situation to work," Kitchen said. "Luckily today he made some big pitches when he had to. He got behind and got in tough spots, but he made some pitches when he had to, and defensively we made basically the routine plays."

Designated hitter Alex Bolen went 3 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs. Cole Blanton and Trent Wills also had three hits apiece for the Indians.

"The lineup we've had has been hot, and we just hope they continue," Kitchen said. We don't want to be peaking just yet, but we're glad we're playing the way we are. Of course we're going to have our hands full with Notre Dame on Monday."

Jackson improved to 10-8 this season.

"We've been through some tough times," Kitchen said. "I'm sure I'm a little hard on kids at times and either they take it and they come out from it good or they don't and they fall apart. Luckily this group has taken it well, and I think we've came out the other side a lot better."

Jackson 100 610 1 -- 9 14 2

Poplar Bluff 110 201 1 -- 5 11 1

WP -- Adam James. LP -- Charlie Kayser. SV -- Steven Eddy. HR -- Alex Bolen (J). 3B -- Clay Baker (J). 2B -- Ryan O'Rear (J), Cole Blanton (J), Lucas Tibbs (PB).