Jackson notches a wild victory

Walks and hit batters were abundant in a 10-5 win over Perryville.

Southeast Missourian

Control was the name of the game Tuesday in the opener of a doubleheader between Jackson and Perryville in an American Legion contest at Jackson.

Jackson starter Cameron Heath and Perryville starter Jacob Donze both had their share of struggles. Heath walked nine batters in 2 2/3 innings. Donze gave up five free passes and hit three batters as well.

In the end, Jackson's offense and bullpen were able to make the difference in a 10-5 victory. Results from the second game were unavailable at press time.

"Cameron Heath started off but lost the zone after the second inning," Jackson coach Mark Lewis said. "Tyrone Reece came in and threw a great game for us. He battled and did the job."

Reece, who at times has had problems with control, did not walk a batter over the final 4 1/3 innings. In relief, Reece allowed four hits, two runs and struck out four for the win.

"I thought he was great," Lewis said. "Tyrone has stepped up and helped us. I thought this was one of his best performances. I thought his control was good."

Offensively, Jackson (16-12) banged out eight hits, including five doubles. Jackson started the scoring off with an RBI double from Brandon Gendron in the bottom of the first. Gendron drove in Derrick Biri, who led off the inning with a double.

Jackson went ahead 2-0 when Joel Penrod led off the second with a double and scored on a wild pitch. Later in the inning Jackson was denied a run on a runner's interference call.

Perryville (13-13) took a 3-2 lead in the third with the help of five walks and a two-run home run by Brian Buchheit. In the fourth, Perryville added two more runs, including an RBI double from Shawn Roth.

"We hit the ball well; it was just little mistakes," Perryville coach Don O'Keith said.

Down 5-2, Jackson put together a six-run rally in the fourth inning on just two hits. Gendron once again provided the big blow with a two-run double with the bases loaded. Penrod added two RBIs with a single. In the inning, Jackson sent 11 hitters to the plate, with four walks and two hit batsmen.

Jackson added a run in the fifth on an RBI double from Jason Meystedt and a run in the sixth on a sacrifice fly from Tyler Beussink.

"They've been that way for a while now," Lewis said of his team's hot offense. "Coming into this game, we've been able to hit the ball and play good defense."

Donze went four innings and took the loss for Perryville. Phillip Buerck pitched the final two innings.

Offensively, Roth finished with a pair of doubles and an RBI to lead Perryville, which had six hits in all.

"We were right there," O'Keith said. "Mental mistakes kill you. More than anything that's the way we've been going the last week or so."

Gendron led Jackson's offense with three hits and three RBIs. Meystedt and Penrod added two hits apiece.

"Gendron's been hot," Lewis said. "He hit four home runs over the weekend. He's been hot as a firecracker."

Jackson will be at home again today with a doubleheader scheduled for 6 p.m. against district foe Sikeston.