Jackson eliminated from zone tournament

Every coach hates to end a season on a loss.

But to end the season losing four straight games and playing poorly in the process, well, that will drive a coach crazy.

The Jackson American Legion team lost 9-2 to Brentwood in an elimination game at the zone tournament in Sikeston on Friday, ending its season at 25-15.

"Twenty-five and 15 is a respectable record, and we had a good season," Jackson coach Mark Lewis said. "But yes, it's disappointing to lose your last four games of the season and not to play well."

The RE/MAX Achievers seemed to get off to a strong start on Friday, scoring two runs on solo home runs from Trevor Thompson and Brandon Gendron for a 2-0 lead after four innings. But an error by Jackson's center fielder cost it a run in the fifth and led to an ugly finish for Jackson which had all nine runs against them unearned.

"We just weren't ready to play, and it's sad that is the case when you're in an elimination game," Lewis said.

Anthony Kobler had the big blow for Brentwood, shooting a two-RBI double into the outfield following the fifth-inning error. Scott Van Slyke added an RBI-double in the inning to make the score 4-2.

Brentwood's four runs were plenty for left-handed starter Daniel Sexton, who struck out 14 batters in eight innings of work. Jackson had six hits in all. Tyler Profilet led the attack with two hits.

"I think the left-hander was pretty good for them, but into the seventh it could have been 2-0 us," Lewis said.

Jackson starter Jason Meystedt left the game after seven innings of work with an injured hand.

Brentwood tacked on a run off reliever Austin Morrison in the eighth, and added a grand slam from Matthew Kramer off Morrison in the ninth.

While the Achievers did not help themselves in the field, they did not have much success at the plate as well. Jackson managed only three hits in a 6-2 loss to Sikeston in its zone opener Thursday, and finished the tournament with only nine hits.

"Every time we hit we scored runs, but that was few and far between," Lewis said.

Jackson will lose five players who have used up their eligibility, including Thompson, Tim Stearns, Josh Snell, Jason Owen and Jake Carter.

Lewis said he was happy to be able to see those players play in a district championship and in the zone.

"Those kids have been with me three years. They were here when I took it over and we weren't very good," he said.

With much of the core players back Jackson will try to make another run at the state tournament next year.

"It is a good thing we got to go to the zone and get experience for these kids coming back," Lewis said.

Jackson ended up in the elimination game on Friday after losing its fifth game to Sikeston in six tries late Thursday. Josh Snell got the start for Jackson less than a week after pitching the Achievers to their only win over Sikeston in the district tournament. Snell was affective early on once again, allowing only one run through five innings.

In the sixth inning Sikeston put the game away. With the score tied at 1-1, Sikeston's Tyler Stahl doubled to lead off the inning. After Snell retired Joey Bickings on a fly out, Jordan Kimball hit a deep fly to left that got by Profilet and fell for an RBI double. Two batters later, Richard Landers hit a two-RBI single to push the lead to 4-1.

While Jackson's fifth loss to Sikeston forced it into the first elimination game of the zone tournament, Lewis said it was a 6-5 loss to Sikeston in the first district championship game which probably did his team in.

"That district championship game we lost 6-5 we never recovered from," Lewis said.