Jackson Junior Legion takes lessons of loss to state tournament

A team can learn a lot about itself after a loss.

The Jackson Junior Legion Post 158 baseball team had time to reflect after they were eliminated from the Zone 4 Tournament last weekend.

"We're definitely battle-tested after the zone tournament," Post 158 coach Shelby Kight said. "We had some close games in the regular season, but nowhere near the games in zone, and I think that really helps us prepare for the competition we'll have to face in state."

A 12-inning, 14-13 win over Ballwin Post 611 kept the team alive in the zone tournament it hosted last weekend, but a a 2-1 loss to Eureka Post 177 resulted in elimination.

Despite the loss, Post 158 (13-7) received an automatic bid to the state tournament because it is serving as the tournament host.

Post 158, which won the District 14 championship, will make its first state tournament appearance when it takes on Springfield-Glendale today at 3 p.m. at Jackson Legion Field in Jackson Park.

Post 158 committed five errors over the weekend, all of which led to runs for the opposing teams.

On Wednesday, Post 158 held practice to fix their mistakes.

"That's definitely the theme of practice," Kight said. "We have to focus a lot on fixing that after how many errors we had in zone. We're trying to steady that defense for sure."

Post 158 catcher Garret Reynolds, who will be a senior at Woodland High School next year, said he thought his team had improved a great deal after practice.

"Today we got a lot of work and a lot of ground balls, which will be good for the tournament," Reynolds said. "That's what really cost us some games. If we can field the ball fundamentally and sound, we have the sticks and the pitching to keep us in and win any ballgame."

Kight said Reynolds is a leader on and off the field for Post 158. Reynolds catches, plays shortstop and is a spark plug at the top of the lineup.

"He's been there all year for us," Kight said. "He gets on base, makes plays for us and most importantly gets the rest of the team ready to play physically and mentally."

Reynolds missed the final three games of the regular season with an injury. Kight said not having Reynolds might have hurt almost as much as losing games because of errors.

"He's one of our leading hitters and always seems to be getting on base," Kight said. "To have him back last weekend and now for state is going to give us a better chance to win."

For the first time all season Kight will have his entire team in attendance.

Kight said his players have either been hurt, working or on a family vacation.

"We're going to play who is hot at the plate and hopefully they can get the job done for us," Kight said.

Pitching also will have influence on Post 158's success. Kight said he has four starting pitchers he expects to lead the team through the tournament. He has relied on them all season, but this time it will be on a bigger stage.

Tyler Slinkard of Jackson High School has the most wins among the four starters with six.

Zach Elfrink of Leopold and Gavon Turner and Ben Maudie of Jackson round out the starting pitchers.

"We feel very confident throwing any of those guys on any given day," Kight said. "They, along with guys in relief, have been solid for us all year. They can go up against any big bat in the state."

Elfrink will get the start for Post 158 today. He won five games for his team this season.

"He's had a great season," Kight said. "One of our better pitchers for sure."

Kight is also confident in his relief pitching. Triston Thele pitched the final five frames of Post 158's victory over Ballwin, allowing only one earned run on four hits and five strikeouts.

Turner said he knows the bullpen is strong and can hold Post 158 together at times.

"We are the backbone of this team," Turner said. "Everyone on this team can bounce back, and to help this team win, we've all got to be ready to step up.

Kight knows little about the team they will be facing in their first round matchup other than the fact that they have a storied Junior Legion program.

"We fully expect them to be a really good team," Kight said. "But we will be ready to beat them, and they better be ready for us."