Jackson shakes mishap before game, opens Senior Babe Ruth state tournament with win

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Jackson's defense of its Senior Babe Ruth state title got off to a rough start.

Coach Paul Sander's squad lost one of its top players before Thursday's first-round state tournament game against the Mineral Area Pirates even started.

Trent Steffens, Jackson's third baseman and No. 3 batter in the lineup, received a bad hop on a ball hit by Sander during infield warmups.

Steffens was struck squarely in the face and was taken to a hospital where it was diagnosed that his nose was broken in two places, according to Sander.

"The ball hit a rock. He went down immediately. Both his eyes were black within about 10 minutes. There was blood everywhere," Sander said. "We were just devastated."

Jackson's Jesse Schott, left, is congratulated by teammate Clay Roth after scoring against Mineral Area during during the fifth inning of their Senior Babe Ruth state tournament game Thursday in Chaffee, Mo.

Jackson shook off that initial blow and rallied for a 3-2 win to move on in the winners bracket of the winners bracket of the seven-team, double-elimination tournament at Harmon Field.

Jackson (23-13) will play host Chaffee at 7:30 p.m. today in the semifinals.

"For our guys to come back after what happened ... we won it for Birdie, which is what we call Trent," Sander said. "I'm still just torn up about it. He's about like a third son to me. I'm going to go check on him as soon as I can."

Sander said he assumed Steffens won't be able to play any more in the tournament.

"But if you see him here tomorrow, don't be surprised. He's that type of kid," Sander said.

Jackson's Alex Buessink dives safely into third as Mineral Area's Chase Kelley fields the throw during the fourth inning of their Senior Babe Ruth state tournament game Thursday in Chaffee, Mo. Jackson won 3-2. (Kristin Eberts)

There was little separating Jackson and Mineral Area. The Pirates had eight hits to Jackson's seven.

"It's good to win the first one," Jackson's Clay Roth said. "We strung a couple of hits together, played good 'D' and were able to pull it out."

The game turned in Jackson's favor during a two-run bottom of the fifth inning that featured just one hit and four walks, two of which drove in runs to help Jackson take a 3-2 lead that would hold up.

"We did just enough on offense," Sander said. "We've been the type of team all year, if you give us an opening, we'll take advantage of it."

Jesse Schott led off the key fifth inning with a single and Shawn Hadler -- Steffens' replacement at third base -- walked.

With one out, Spencer Sander walked to load the bases and Alex Beussink walked to send home Schott with the tying run.

After a force at home for the second out, Roth walked to force in Sander with the go-ahead tally.

Schott, who came on to pitch starting the fourth inning, made that advantage last. He allowed an unearned run and three hits over four innings. He struck out four, walked one and hit a batter to notch the victory.

"I didn't have my best stuff, but I battled," Schott said.

Jesse Long worked the first three innings, giving up five hits but just one run and escaped several jams.

"We thought Jesse Long struggled a little bit the first three innings. We were fortunate to be down just 1-0," coach Sander said. "He gutted it out, but we wanted Jesse Schott's bat in the lineup, and once Jesse Long's turn came up in the third inning, we decided to pinch hit."

The top of the seventh inning contained plenty of drama. A leadoff error, a two-out stolen base, a bloop single to short left field and another stolen base gave Mineral Area runners on second and third.

Schott then ended the contest by getting a called strike three on a 3-2 pitch.

"With the game on the line, the blood starts pumping," Schott said.

Schott said he was told before the game to be prepared for a relief role.

"I didn't know when I would go in, but I tried to get my mind ready for it," he said.

Said coach Sander: "Jesse Schott did a good job. He gave us a little more velocity."

The Pirates scored off Long in the first inning and got an unearned run in the fourth inning off Schott to lead 2-0.

Jon Winkler's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fourth plated Beussink, who had singled, to make it 2-1. Jackson then went ahead for good in the fifth inning.

Roth went 2 for 2 with a walk to lead Jackson's offense. Mike Harp and Chase Kelley both had two hits for the Pirates.