Jackson Legion rolls past Sikeston

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Jackson Post 158 Senior American Legion baseball team struck out 13 times during Wednesday night's District 14 game against host Sikeston Post 114.

That was about the only area in which Jackson struggled as Post 158 continued to roll, romping 10-3 in the opener of a doubleheader at VFW Stadium.

The non-district nightcap was called after one inning due to inclement weather with Jackson leading 3-1.

Jackson improved to 24-4 overall and 6-0 in district play as the defending District 14 tournament champion closed in on locking up the district tourney's top seed.

"I feel like we have a pretty good team," Jackson's Cody Harris said. "Hopefully we can keep this hot streak going into [district and zone] tournaments at the end of the year."

Despite all those strikeouts, Jackson coach Mark Lewis complimented his offense for finding success against one of the district's top pitchers.

Jashawn McDaniel, the ace of this year's New Madrid County Central High School team that made a surprise run to the Class 3 Final Four, didn't receive the best defensive support as only four of the nine runs he allowed were earned.

But Jackson managed nine hits off McDaniel, who struck out 11 and walked two in five innings. Four of the hits and three of the runs came during the fifth inning as Jackson opened up a 9-2 lead.

"I thought we did well hitting him. I thought he threw really well. He had good stuff," Lewis said. "The kids just battled and grinded. We got him into some long counts."

Jackson -- which also struck out twice in two innings against reliever Patrick Smith -- had three doubles and a home run among its 10 total hits in the game.

Harris accounted for the long ball, a solo shot to left field with one out in the fifth inning. It was Harris' first homer of the summer.

"The last couple of games I haven't been hitting so hot," Harris said. "I just got a pitch to drive and hit it good."

Steven Porzelt and Cody Heisserer both had two hits for Post 158. They each doubled, as did Kyle James.

All that offense was more than enough for Kelby Brown, who notched the pitching victory with six strong innings in his best performance of the summer. He allowed four hits and three runs, two earned, while striking out seven and walking none.

"Kelby has been coming along," Lewis said. "I've been real pleased with his progress. The last couple of outings he's thrown well."

Brown said he has endured elbow problems this summer that had limited not only his availability to take the mound but also his pitch counts.

"This was the first time in a long time I've felt good," said Brown, who has proven valuable as Jackson's primary second baseman. "I stayed pretty good the whole game. The slider was definitely working."

Brown, who will be a senior at Oak Ridge High School in the fall, said he is enjoying playing for the talent-laden Jackson squad.

"It's definitely a lot different than Oak Ridge," he said with a smile.

Ben McCormick finished up with a scoreless seventh inning. He allowed one hit, struck out two and walked one.

Smith and Adam Kennard both had two of Sikeston's five hits. Smith provided Post 114's offensive highlight with a solo homer to left in the sixth inning.

Sikeston coach Pete Kennard, whose team fell to 11-11 overall and 0-3 in district play, lamented Post 114's shoddy defense that included four errors and three passed balls.

Kennard also gave plenty of credit to Jackson.

"They're deep. They're talented at every position," Kennard said. "He [Brown] made pitches when he had to."

Jackson, which never trailed, scored in six of the seven innings, failing to cross home plate in only the sixth.

Post 158 broke a 1-1 tie with a two-run second inning despite McDaniel striking out three in the frame.

After McDaniel fanned the first two batters, Ryan O'Rear also struck out but reached first base on a passed ball that would prove key.

O'Rear stole second and scored on Lane Thompson's RBI single. Thompson took second on the throw home and came around on Porzelt's RBI double.

Jackson rolled the rest of the way.

"I thought we did a good job," Lewis said.

Jackson returns to action Friday at the eight-team Paragould (Ark.) tournament. Post 158 plays Blytheville (Ark.) Senior Legion at 5 p.m.

Championship and consolation semifinals will be played Saturday. The championship will be at 7:30 p.m. Sunday.