Jackson shakes sluggish start

Through cloudy skies and steady rain, Jackson's American Legion team managed to push through a lackadaisical performance Friday night at home to win the opener of a doubleheader 7-3 over Fulton, Ky.

Jackson scored its seven runs in the third and fourth innings, fighting through steady rain over the last three innings to hold on for the win. Jackson improved to 9-2 after the doubleheader opener.

"Yes, we won, but there needs to be more energy," Jackson coach Mark Lewis said. "We got wrapped up in the weather a bit, which is no excuse."

Both teams put runners on base in the first two innings, which finished scoreless. Fulton came through in the third, plating two runs on three hits.

Tyler Porter opened the inning with a single and stole second. After reaching third on a sacrifice, Zach Parham drove Porter in with a single. A walk moved Parham to second and, with the runners moving, Steven Bayko's single pushed across the second run.

"I wasn't really happy with the play," Lewis said. "Our effort and energy were pretty poor."

Taking the leadJackson was not down for long. Aaron Green led off the bottom of the third with a single, which was followed by a walk to Trey Busch and a bunt single by Chad Minson.

The RE/MAX Achievers nearly blew their bases-loaded situation, with Green tagged out at the plate trying to score on a wild pitch and Jason Meystedt going down on strikes. Jackson recovered as its next three batters reached safely, leading to four runs.

Lewis said he'd like to see better hitting with the bases loaded and no outs, but he was pleased with the way his hitters battled with two outs.

"I will say that was tremendous," he said.

Jackson added three runs in the fourth. Minson had the first RBI with a sacrifice fly, and Meystedt followed with a two-run double.

Tony Longman pitched four innings in his first start of the season to pick up the win. Longman, who is competing with several others for the fifth spot in the rotation, allowed six hits, hit two batters and walked one.

"I think he pitched pretty good," Lewis said of Longman. "He started getting tired a little at the end of the third, end of the fourth."

Zach Brazer led Jackson with a 3-for-3 performance. Brazer had a two-RBI hit in the four-run third. Longman added an RBI.

In the nightcap, Jackson led 6-0 after two innings. Due to a late start time, results from the second game were not available for today's edition.