Jackson wins big at Busch Stadium, dominates Marion at home

Playing baseball at Busch Stadium in St. Louis is a rare opportunity that is not exclusive to big league ball players.

The Jackson Indians have been lucky enough to fit a game at the home of the St. Louis Cardinals in their schedule each year since 2015.

A strong sign that this year’s team is much different than last year is defeating Edwardsville 8-2 on Sunday at Busch Stadium.

“That’s what we’ve been looking forward to this entire year, is whooping Edwardsville,” Jackson catcher Baden Hackworth said. “I feel like a statement was made, that we’re here to stay around, and we’re not losing in districts again.”

Within one year, Hackworth, a St. Louis commit, went from playing in an outfield filled with trash during a 12-0 loss to Edwardsville to being behind the plate and commanding a much more favorable result.

John-Paul Sauer took the win on the mound for the Indians after allowing only one run on three hits with nine strikeouts in seven innings. It was a game the Tulane commit would not forget.

“Each inning, I would kind of just do a 360 around,” Sauer said, “being able to see the jumbotron seeing the stadium seats everywhere.”

It was quite the day for all the Jackson seniors. Both Clayton Ernst and Caden Bogenpohl hit a triple, while Quinton Borders led the Indians with two hits and two RBI.

Bogenpohl, who has committed to play for Missouri State next year, has played in three MLB ballparks, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Miami.

I know there’s not a lot of fans, but still just playing in a ballpark like that, it’s beautiful,” Bogenpohl said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most kids, so I’m just thankful I get the opportunity.”

With Bogenpohl on the mound, the Indians went from dominating one Illinois school to another, shutting down Marion 10-0 in six innings at home on Monday. The big senior threw nine strikeouts in five shutout innings and went 3-for-3 at the plate with a single, a double, and a triple.

“Anytime you get two big wins like that in a row, it’s always a good sign for the team and a great boost for morale,” Bogenpohl said. “We’re clicking right now. I had a really good day, 3-for-3, trying to get back in a groove, and just big thing for me is trying to have more fun, just trying to stay calm and have fun with the guys.”

Jackson (16-5) is 2-0 against Illinois and is riding a six-game winning streak with little sign of stopping. The Indians travel to Poplar Bluff on Thursday and then will host a doubleheader against Lafayette on Saturday, New Madrid County Central on Wednesday, April 24, and Kennett on Thursday, April 25.

“I think these last couple of games, it’s like the pitching has been great, the defense has been even better, and our hitting has come alive,” Sauer said. “So with all three of those going, I hope we do well.”