Jackson ends Central's season with five-inning rout

JACKSON — Caleb Guilliams was somewhat surprised when he learned during his fifth-hour class Monday that he'd be pitching the Indians' first-round district game against rival Central later in thew day.

Jackson coach Rob French contacted the senior at the high school to tell him.

"It was a little bit of a surprise because he hadn't really talked about it," Guilliams said. "But I felt like I had something to prove against Cape. I pitched against them in the [district] championship game last year, and I didn't throw too good. So I felt like I had a chip on my shoulder."

For most of the weekend French debated over which member of his pitching staff to start against the Tigers in Monday's Class 4, District 1 game.

His late decision to go with Guilliams — which occurred around noon — ended up being a good one.

Guilliams outdueled Tigers ace Garrett Stevens to help the Indians to an 11-1 five-inning win at Jackson City Park and advance to today's 4 p.m. semifinal district contest against top-seeded Fox.

Guilliams tossed the complete game, striking out one while giving up one earned run on four hits and a walk.

Jackson improved to 10-11, while Central finished its season at 10-16.

"It always feels good to beat Cape," Guilliams said. "They're a really solid team."

Senior Ryan Cheney added: "[Guilliams] is a gamer. He pitched in tough spots last season. That was big for him to come out today and he didn't throw very many pitches."

Before opting to pitch Guilliams, French considered three starters: Guilliams, sophomore Chad Scroggins and junior Caleb Hosey, who leads the Indians in wins, has the team's lowest ERA and already had beaten Central earlier this season.

"The last several weeks he's been solid for us," French said of Guilliams. "Down the stretch he's really been throwing the ball really well. And being a senior, I know he really wanted to take on Cape one more time. And I think that was the bulk of the reason for making the move.

"Cape has seen [Hosey] once, and I think we've found this year when we've gone with guys a couple times against the same opponent and you've got a good team like that, it's a little bit easier to get to him the second time around."

The Tigers did get to Guilliams in the first inning. Central leadoff hitter Brooks Osburn doubled to deep center field then moved to third on a groundout to second. He later scored when Guilliams threw a wild pitch. Guilliams said he didn't feel a let down after Central claimed the 1-0 lead.

"I said, 'No more runs,'" Guilliams recalled. "I said, 'Guys, I'm going to hold 'em."

Guilliams did settle down. Over the next four innings he scattered four Central baserunners and even helped himself by picking off two runners.

"I tried to get ahead and go right at people," Guilliams said. "I tried not to pitch around anybody. I just let my defense work for me and they did.

"The changeup was really good. I pretty much had a non-existent curveball today. It just wasn't there. But the changeup came through. The fastball was good."

While Guilliams held the Tigers silent, his offense provided plenty of run support by banging out 10 hits and capitalizing on four Central errors.

Cheney, who has been struggling at the plate recently and was batting .260 entering the game, set the tone on offense.

The Indians tied the game 1-1 in the second inning when Cheney knocked an RBI double to center to score Evan Watkins, who started the inning with a double.

Jackson grabbed a 2-1 in the third on an RBI double by Andy Winkleblack.

Cheney continued his hot hitting in the fourth by stroking a leadoff home run that put the Indians ahead 3-1.

Cheney went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored after going 0-for-3 at the plate when facing Stevens earlier this year.

"I switched up my swing before this game," Cheney said. "I came out here and he made good pitches. You just had to wait for that one that was yours. And I was able to do it."

Michael Mouser also had a strong day batting. He capped off a five-run fourth inning with a three-run double to deep left with two outs.

"[Stevens] is a very, very good pitcher," Mouser said. "Whenever it's right there, you've got to take that pitch and drive it where it's pitched. I knew that was a crucial situation. It was a turning point in the game. And like I said, that pitch was right there and I just took it and drove it to left-center."

Mouser went 1-for-3 with a sacrifice fly, four RBIs and one run scored.

"We actually hit the ball pretty well," Central coach Steve Williams said. "We had some line-drive outs and we were swinging pretty good. We just didn't make near enough plays to make it a ballgame. We had four or five errors and a few balls misplayed. Any time you give a good hitting team like Jackson those opportunities, they're going to cash in."

Central 100 00 — 1 4 4

Jackson 011 54 — 11 10 0

WP — Caleb Guilliams, 2-3. LP — Garrett Stevens, 5-5. HR — Ryan Cheney (J). 2B — Brooks Osburn (C), Jamie Pickel (C), Michael Mouser (J), Cheney (J), Evan Watkins (J), Andy Winkleblack (J). Multiple hits — Jackson: Blake Reiminger 2-2, Cheney 2-3, Winkleblack 2-4. Records — Jackson 10-11, Central 10-16.