Jackson Legion rolls past Sikeston

A good pitcher usually relies on his fastball to get outs.

Jackson Senior Legion Post 158 (18-4) starting pitcher Michael Houchins did just that as Post 158 defeated Sikeston Senior Legion Post 114 7-2 in the first game of a doubleheader Monday at Jackson City Park.

"The top of their lineup is pretty tough," Houchins said. "Early on they couldn't catch up to the fastball, but when they finally did, I could switch it up and get guys out with my offspeed stuff."

The right-hander gave up four hits over seven innings. He did not allow an earned run and struck out four.

Houchins said he used his fastball to strike out all four batters.

Post 158 coach Mark Lewis said he was impressed that Houchins got ahead of hitters, something he said Houchins has been doing all summer.

"He's our most reliable starter right now," Lewis said. "I thought he threw well tonight, especially locating the fastball. He was able to get ahead of hitters because of his good location and use the breaking ball when he needed."

Lewis also pointed to his team's ability to score runs and capitalize on Post 114's mistakes, something Post 158 has struggled to do consistently.

"It's been good, I wouldn't say great," Lewis said about Post 158's offense. "You're going to have ebb and flow with that, but I'd like to see us be more consistent at the plate and take better approaches."

Ryan O'Rear got things started for Post 158 in the first with a single and advanced to second on a single by Ryan Harvey. O'Rear stole third on the first pitch to the following batter, and scored when the throw from Post 114 catcher Josh Hampton sailed over the third baseman's head for a 1-0 lead.

Kyle James later walked with two outs, stole second and moved to third on a throwing error by the third baseman on a grounder by Cody Harris.

Harris attempted to steal second but was caught in a rundown. The second baseman made an errant throw on the play, allowing James to score.

Harvey singled again in the third inning, stole second and scored on a double by Landon Mills.

Mills advanced to third on an errant pickoff play by Post 114 starting pitcher Tristen Mitchell. The throw was low and in the dirt and rolled past the shortstop and into center field. Mills scored two batters later on a fielding error on a grounder by Harris for a 4-0 advantage.

Post 114 committed six errors in the game, all of which came in the first four innings.

"We held our heads down low and got down on ourselves after we made an error, and that really struck us for a few innings," said Post 114 coach Craig Templeton, who saw his team fall to 1-18. "We just weren't communicating, talking it up a little bit or playing our style of ball."

Post 158 capitalized on another Post 114 error in the fourth.

Lane Thompson reached on an error, stole second and scored on back-to-back wild pitches to extend the lead to 5-0.

James tripled to lead off the fifth inning and scored on a double by Harris to make it 6-0.

Harris went 2 for 4 with two RBIs.

Harvey singled in the sixth inning, stole second and scored on a Harris single.

Harvey went 4 for 4 -- all singles -- and stole three bases.

Post 114 scored its only two runs in the sixth with the help of two errors.

"We're getting good, but we can be better," Lewis said. "Right now we want to stay healthy, keep the arms fresh and keep going in the right direction."

Sikeston 000 002 0 -- 2 4 6

Jackson 202 111 x -- 7 11 3

WP -- Michael Houchins. LP -- Tristen Mitchell. 2B -- Patrick Smith (S), Landon Mills (J), Cody Harris (J). 3B -- Kyle James (J). Multiple hitters -- Sikeston: Patrick Smith 2-4; Jackson: Ryan O'Rear 2-4, Ryan Harvey 4-4, Cody Harris 2-4. Records: Sikeston 1-18, Jackson 18-4.