Resilient Sikeston continues to make strides despite setback

SIKESTON, Mo. — Sikeston continues to prove it's not to be underestimated.

The Bulldogs (1-10) may have been disappointed with the 9-5 loss to the Jackson Indians (13-5) at VFW Stadium on Thursday, April 13, but the team has shown remarkable improvement since the start of the season and appears to be finding its rhythm on the field.

“I like what I saw in the first couple of innings offensively,” said Sikeston coach Wyatt Pratt. “We are disciplined, got into hitter’s counts and hit some balls hard. The difference in the game was that they the right adjustments later on in the game and we did not. We’re starting to work in the right direction.”

Sikeston's Noah Pruitt makes a catch at first base for an out during a 9-5 loss to Jackson at VFW Stadium on Thursday, April 12. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Jackson struck first, taking a 2-0 advantage in the top of the first inning after Henley Parker scored on a passed ball and Caden Bogenpohl scored on a double by Baden Hackworth.

Sikeston answered back in the bottom of the inning when Noah Pruitt doubled to score Joseph Heckemeyer and Carter Crow, Trace Sullivan scored on a bases-loaded walk and Pruitt scored on a fielder’s choice.

The Bulldogs added another run to make it 5-2 in the bottom of the second inning after Heckemeyer scored on a sacrifice fly.

Sikeston's Phillip Johnson throws a pitch during a 9-5 loss to Jackson at VFW Stadium on Thursday, April 12. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

The Indians' rally began with a single run in the fourth inning and five runs in the fifth inning.

Hackworth scored on a single by Jack Wyatt in the fourth inning, while Cooper Rhodes singled to score Parker, Bogenpohl tripled to score Rhodes, Quinton Borders singled to score Bogenpohl, Borders scored on a wild pitch and Steve Schneider scored on a ground out in the fifth inning.

Jackson added an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning when Schneider scored on an error.

Sikeston's Joseph Heckemeyer scores a run during a 9-5 loss to Jackson at VFW Stadium on Thursday, April 12. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Jaiden Glency earned the win after pitching the final five innings. He didn’t give up any runs on two hits with four strikeouts and three walks.

Phillip Johnson took the loss for Sikeston after starting the game and throwing the first 4.1 innings. He allowed seven earned runs on 10 hits with two strikeouts and a walk.

Sullivan threw the final 2.2 innings, allowing no earned runs on one hit with a strikeout and three walks.

A Jackson player throws a strike during a 9-5 win over Sikeston at VFW Stadium on Thursday, April 12. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Sikeston plays Marshall County (Ky.) and Mount Vernon (Ill.) on Saturday, April 15.

Jackson hosts Northwest (4-10) on Friday, April 13, and Edwardsville (Ill.) on Sunday, April 16.

__JACKSON 9, SIKESTON 5__

Jackson 200 150 1 — 9 11 1

Sikeston 410 000 0 — 5 5 1

W—Jaiden Glency. L—Phillip Johnson. 2B—Jackson: Baden Hackworth; Sikeston: Noah Pruitt. 3B—Jackson: Caden Bogenpohl, Steve Schneider.