JACKSON GOES THE DISTANCE; BUT DUNKLIN CO. WINS DISTRICT TITLE

Jackson's magic in the District 14 American Legion baseball tournament finally ran out Saturday, but not before the Indians put together one final magical performance.

The Indians, the last seed among seven teams after not having won a district game during the regular season, were able to advance all the way to Saturday's championship round against top-seeded Dunklin County.

And Jackson's thrilling 8-7, 10-inning victory Saturday afternoon at Capaha Field handed the Redbirds their first tournament loss and forced one more game under the lights for the championship of the double-elimination event.

But the Indians -- out of pitching and probably out of gas after their brilliant tourney run -- were then hammered 12-2. The game was stopped after 6 1/2 innings by the 10-run mercy rule.

So Dunklin County, 33-11 on the season, advances to the zone tournament that will also be played at Capaha Field beginning Thursday.

Jackson ends its season at 20-22 and the Indians will definitely carry some fond memories of their performance over the past six days that was by far the talk of the tournament.

"I couldn't be prouder of the kids," said Robert White, one of Jackson's coaches. "We came in here as the last seed and we beat the top four seeds (Dunklin County, No. 2 and host Cape Girardeau, No. 3 Chaffee and No. 4 Sikeston).

"I'm sure we earned a lot of respect and this is something that's great for our program. We lose some good kids but this should give the ones coming back a lot of confidence for the future."

Even though the Indians entered the tournament as the lowest seed, they played like one of the favorites in winning four of six games.

Dunklin County handed the Indians both losses, including a 4-0 setback in Thursday's winner's bracket final.

"You've got to give Jackson a lot of credit. They had a real good tournament," said Dunklin County coach Randy Smith, whose team won its second straight district tourney title.

Dunklin County, which received a first-round bye by virtue of its No. 1 seed, went 3-1 in the tourney and Smith said, "We were real lucky the way things worked out. We didn't have to play as many games as Jackson."

The Redbirds didn't need any luck in Saturday's second game as Keith Robertson pitched a two-hitter for his second win of the tournament. He struck out eight and walked two.

"He threw real well," said Smith.

Robertson lost his shutout in the top of the seventh inning when Chris Schlick belted a two-run homer, his second home run in as many days. But Jackson needed to push across one more run to keep the game going, which they could not do.

Cliff Collins had three of Dunklin County's 14 hits while Jerrad Cude homered.

Jackson starter Jess Boyer was able to retire just one batter in the first inning before being replaced. He was charged with six runs as the Redbirds scored eight runs on eight hits in the first to end the suspense early.

Toby Freeman, who replaced Boyer, was charged with four runs in 3 2/3 innings. Schlick allowed two runs in two innings.

But Jackson gave its fans plenty of thrills in Saturday's opener, which they needed to win in order to force a second game.

The Indians scored twice in the eighth to rally ahead 7-6, only to see the Redbirds get one in the bottom of the ninth for a 7-7 tie.

Then in the 10th, Zane McClard led off with a double and scored on a one-out single by Boyer.

Mike McCall, the pitching star of the entire tournament who had entered in the eighth, allowed a leadoff infield single in the bottom of the 10th but retired the next two batters. He then had to come out after having pitched the maximum 12 innings over three days under Legion rules.

Schlick came on and, after a walk, got a strikeout to end the contest.

Freeman had three of Jackson's 11 hits while McClard and Schlick both added two hits. Todd Wessel belted a long homer over the scoreboard in left.

Paul Long started and allowed just one earned run among the four total he gave up in three innings.

Freeman came on to hurl four effective innings, allowing one earned run (two total).

Then McCall allowed one run in 2 2/3 innings before giving way to Schlick.

McCall had a hand in all four Jackson victories in the tournament, getting two wins and two saves. He also suffered the 4-0 loss to Dunklin County despite pitching well. In 19 tourney innings, McCall allowed just four earned runs while striking out 18.

"He had a phenomenal tournament," said White. "But really, all of our guys did. They played great all week. Dunklin County has an excellent team and we wish them well in the zone."

Chris McClain had three of Dunklin County's eight first-game hits. Tony Kelsey took the loss in relief.

American Legion Baseball

District 14 Tournament

(at Capaha Field)

Monday's Results

Game 1: Sikeston 8, Poplar Bluff 4

Game 2: Jackson 11, Cape 0 (7 inn.)

Game 3: Chaffee 11, Van Buren 5

Tuesday's Results

Game 4: Dunklin Co. 12, Sikeston 5

Game 5: Jackson 13, Chaffee 10

Wednesday's Results

Game 6: Cape 19, Van Buren 2 (7 inn.), Van Buren eliminated

Game 7: Chaffee 13, Poplar Bluff 6, Poplar Bluff eliminated

Thursday's Results

Game 8: Sikeston 10, Cape 7, Cape eliminated

Game 9: Dunklin Co. 4, Jackson 0

Friday's Results

Game 10: Sikeston 11, Chaffee 7, Chaffee eliminated

Game 11: Jackson 11, Sikeston 10, Sikeston eliminated

Saturday's Results

Game 12: Jackson 8, Dunklin Co. 7

Championship: Dunklin Co. 12, Jackson 2