KNIGHTS SHIELD LEAD WITH BIT 7TH, TOP INDIANS 13-3

JACKSON -- Even though they aren't among the top seeds, Farmington and Jackson both consider themselves contenders for next week's Class 4A, District 1 baseball tournament.

And through six innings here Monday, the squads certainly played the part. Farmington was clinging to a 4-3 lead in an exciting, relatively well-played contest.

But then the roof caved in on Jackson. Farmington exploded for nine runs in the seventh as the Knights posted a 13-3 victory.

Farmington, seeded third out of five teams for next week's district tourney in Cape Girardeau, improved to 10-8. Jackson, the fourth seed, fell to 12-8.

"We start four sophomores and a freshman designated hitter, so we're a really young team," said Farmington coach Stan Walden. "But we feel like we can play with those teams (in the district)."

Walden might be right, because in Farmington's only other game this year against a district foe, the Knights lost to top-seeded Cape Central 4-3 in eight innings.

As for Jackson, coach Sam Sides was disappointed with the way things turned out Monday. But he still believes his club can be a district contender.

"We've had this happen to us before," said Sides. "We play well, then we blow up and disintegrate. We're just too inconsistent.

"But I still feel like we can beat anybody in the district."

Travis Barron was the winning pitcher Monday. He was hit fairly hard early but settled down over the middle innings. Barron wound up with an eight-hitter that featured five strikeouts and one walk.

Losing hurler Chris Leimer was sharp at times, but control problems eventually got the best of him. Leimer, who was knocked out before retiring anybody in the seventh, allowed six hits and 10 runs (nine earned) while walking eight and hitting two batters.

"He's got to have control," Sides said. "If he doesn't, he's in trouble."

Mike Thebeau and Barron both had three of Farmington's nine hits, with Barron driving in three runs.

Mike Gross and Travis Stevens each had two of Jackson's eight hits.

The Indians grabbed an early 3-0 lead, getting one in the first and two in the second.

Farmington tied things with a three-run third, then took the lead for good in the fifth on Barron's RBI single that plated Scott King, who had walked.

It looked like the teams were headed for quite a finish -- until Farmington exploded in the seventh. The Knights sent 12 batters up in a frame that featured five hits, two walks, two hit batters and two errors.

"Jackson really is not a bad ballclub," Walden said. "I thought Leimer threw the ball pretty well. We were fortunate to break the game open late."

Jackson will return to action Wednesday at Scott City.