Jackson blasts Notre Dame 12-2 in five innings

Jackson hit for the cycle in order as the Indians routed Notre Dame 12-2 in five innings in a SEMO Conference quarterfinal at Jackson on Friday.

Luke Crader opened the bottom of the first with an infield single, Rex Meyr lined a double over the center fielder's head, Logan Lawson hit a triple to deep center and Andy Winkleback cracked a two-run home run to left field. Notre Dame starter Brett Heischmidt walked the next batter and was pulled two batters later after getting just one out.

The second-seeded Indians (12-7) brought 14 batters to the plate in the first inning, scoring nine runs on six hits, five walks and an error. Meyr and Lawson each had two hits and three RBIs in the inning.

"We had Logan [Lawson] on the mound for us today, and we knew if we scored some runs early he'd be able to hold them down," Crader said. "Scoring nine runs in the first was a plus. Plus we were able to save some arms."

Sixth-seeded Notre Dame could have gotten out of the first down 4-0, but a double play throw to first which would have ended the inning sailed wide of the bag. A run scored on the error, then Meyr and Lawson followed with two-run hits.

Jackson first baseman Ryan Cheney (27) beat Notre Dame's Nick Ostendorf to the bag to complete a double play Friday during Jackson's 12-2 quarterfinal victory in the SEMO Conference tournament in Jackson, Mo. (Kit Doyle)

Heischmidt allowed four hits, two walks and six runs in his one-third of an inning. He also committed a pair of errors, including the one that extended the first.

"Just coming out looking for that senior on the mound to step it up and he didn't get it done for us today," Notre Dame coach Jeff Graviett said.

Lawson threw three innings for the Indians. The senior right-hander allowed two hits, walked three and struck out three.

Caleb Hosey allowed two runs on two hits and an error over the final two innings. Jackson was able to close out the game thanks to a two-run fourth, which featured three Notre Dame errors, and a run in the fifth on a wild pitch.

Meyr and Lawson had two hits apiece for the Indians.

Jackson will play No. 2 Central in the semifinals at 2 p.m. today at Central. The last time the teams met Central edged Jackson 3-2 with staff aces Lawson and Brad LaBruyere on the mound for the Indians and Tigers, respectively.

"I think avenging that loss would be really sweet, plus that gets you to the championship," Meyr said.

The Indians are hoping their recent offensive surge will continue against the Tigers. Jackson had 13 hits against Kelly on Monday, and added nine more in five innings Friday. In their last meeting, Jackson managed four hits against Central.

"Our bats are coming around and they'll be there this time," Crader said.

Notre Dame will play Poplar Bluff at noon today at Central's junior varsity field.

Other games

Second-seeded Central made its way to the semifinals with a 5-1 win over No. 7 Kelly at Central.

The Tigers threw LaBruyere against the Hawks and the senior right-hander was on his game. LaBruyere struck out 13 and did not walk a batter in a complete-game two-hitter.

"He was on today," Central coach Steve Williams said. "That's as well as he's thrown all year."

Blake Slattery had a home run and Kory Kitchen had two hits for the Tigers (11-6).

The other semifinal will pit No. 1 Sikeston against No. 4 Dexter. The Bearcats slipped by No. 5 Chaffee 6-5 at Dexter.

Chaffee led 3-1 after one inning and held a 4-1 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth. Two errors led to four Dexter runs in the fourth and Dexter added the game-winning run in the fifth.

Chris Hanback allowed two earned runs, struck out two and walked three in six innings for the loss. Josh Steger and Andy Hendrix had two hits apiece for the Red Devils (11-7).

The Red Devils will play New Madrid County Central at noon today at Notre Dame in the consolation bracket.

Jackson 12, Notre Dame 2

Notre Dame 000 20 -- 2 4 5

Jackson 900 21 -- 12 9 1

WP -- Logan Lawson. LP -- Brett Heischmidt. HR -- Andy Winkleback (J). 2B -- Rex Meyr (J), Logan Lawson (J), Ryan Cheney (J), Trenton St. Cin (N). 3B -- Lawson (J). Multiple hits -- Jackson, Meyr 2-4; Lawson 2-3. Records -- Notre Dame 9-7, Jackson 12-7.

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Central 5, Kelly 1

Kelly 100 000 0 -- 1 2 1

Central 220 010 X -- 5 7 2

WP -- Brad LaBruyere, 4-2. LP -- Bryce Faulkner. HR -- Blake Slattery (C). 3B -- Dallas Tew (K). 2B -- Eric Ennis (C), Kory Kitchen (C). Multiple hits -- Central, Kitchen 2-3. Records -- Central 11-6, Kelly 9-7.

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Dexter 6, Chaffee 5

Chaffee 300 101 0 -- 5 9 2

Dexter 100 410 X -- 6 7 1

WP -- Moore. LP -- Chris Hanback. 2B -- Stevens (D). Multiple hits -- Chaffee, Josh Steger 2-4; Andy Hendrix 2-3; Dexter, Stevens 2-3. Records -- Chaffee 11-7.