Jackson reaches title game

The RE/MAX Achievers topped Sikeston 5-2 in the winner's bracket final.

By Jeremy Joffray ~ Southeast Missourian

The third time's a charm.

The Jackson American Legion team managed only one run in two losses to Sikeston earlier this season, but the RE/MAX Achievers found their bats when it mattered most Friday night in a winners bracket game at the District 14 tournament in Jackson.

The Achievers broke a scoreless tie with three runs in the seventh and held on for a 5-2 win to put them in the championship game, to be played at 1 p.m. today. Jackson will play the winner of the Sikeston/Dunklin County losers bracket final which ran late Friday night.

Jackson, which is looking for its first district title, will have two chances today if necessary to qualify for the zone tournament. Jackson will enter the championship at 2-0, while Dunklin County or Sikeston each will have a loss.

"The big thing is to close it out, to get the win and win this thing," Jackson coach Mark Lewis said.

For the third straight meeting, Jackson and Sikeston played to a pitchers duel most of the way. Sikeston starter Josh Miller and Jackson starter Josh Snell pitched scoreless ball through six innings.

Snell allowed only three hits through the first six innings, and was able to pitch around three walks. Snell, usually Jackson's No. 3 pitcher, got the call because No. 2 pitcher Austin Morrison was out of town on vacation.

"That was the best game he's ever thrown for me in three years," Lewis said.

Miller looked like he would cruise through another inning in the seventh when Jackson mounted a two-out rally. Zach Brazer kept the inning alive with a single, and Jason Meystedt followed with a walk to put a Jackson runner in scoring position for the first time. Brandon Gendron helped Jackson break through with a two-run triple that dropped just inside the center-field fence. Gendron scored on an error on Tony Longman's grounder for a 3-0 lead.

"Through seven innings it was just a good game," Lewis said. "It was more like they blinked first."

A double, an error and a wild pitch led to a Sikeston run in the bottom of the seventh. Another walk chased Snell from the game with two outs, but Gendron was able to strike out Lance Rhodes to end the threat.

Snell pitched 6 2/3 innings for the win. Snell allowed four hits, struck out three and walked four.

"I was just hitting spots and mixing my pitches up," Snell said.

Miller pitched around a jam in the eighth, after Jackson had put runners on second and third with a double steal.

Sikeston's Tyler Stahl hit a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth to close the gap to 3-2.

Sikeston reliever Ross Merideth could not hold the lead to one though. Tyler Profilet drove in a run with a fielder's choice, and another run scored on a wild pitch to give Jackson some breathing room.

Gendron made it interesting by loading the bases in the ninth, but he was able to get Rhodes to ground into a double play to end the game.

"The big thing I'll say is we came ready to play today," Lewis said.

Gendron and Brazer finished with two hits apiece to lead Jackson's offense.

Earlier in the day, Cape's Ford & Sons season ended with a 12-5 loss to Dunklin County. Cape hung with Dunklin County, tying the score at 5-5 in the sixth inning before falling apart.

Scott Brueckner led the way with three hits and two RBIs. Zac Horman added two hits, including a two-run home run.