Sikeston baseball team rallies past Jackson, wins 11-7

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Sikeston baseball team rallied behind a solid pitching effort by sophomore Trey Tigart for an 11-7 victory over Jackson on Thursday at VFW Stadium.

The Bulldogs appeared to be on the verge of another long afternoon after surrendering four runs in the top of the first inning to Jackson. Sikeston fell behind by eight runs in the second inning in Wednesday's loss to Kennett.

But Sikeston (6-2) immediately tied the score in the bottom of the first inning and took control from there with timely hitting, alert baserunning and a stout defense.

Jackson took a 4-0 lead in the top of the first on the strength of back-to-back doubles by Dylan Koehler and Trevor Jaco.

Sikeston, with the help of control problems by Jackson hurler Zach McDowell, quickly tied the game at 4-4 in the first with a pair of run-scoring singles by Blake Newman and Ross Bohannon.

Jackson third baseman Alex Bolen tags out Sikeston's Luke Keefer during the third inning Thursday in Sikeston, Mo. (DAVID JENKINS ~ Standard-Democrat)

Tigart, who was hurt by a pair of errors in the first inning, settled down with three straight scoreless innings. Even when he did get into trouble, he was able to get out of jams with solid defense.

After a leadoff walk in the second, he picked off the runner after numerous throws to first. He got an unassisted double play by Bohannon at first base on a line drive in the third inning.

McDowell's day ended after one inning when he was relieved by Adam James in the second inning.

Sikeston immediately greeted James with three runs to lead 7-4 behind run-scoring singles by Nathan Rodgers and Trent McMillan.

The Bulldogs extended the lead to 9-4 in the fourth on another RBI single by McMillan.

Jackson (6-4) cut the lead to 9-5 in the fifth on an RBI single by Logan Bartels, but Sikeston answered with two more runs in the bottom half of the inning to lead 11-5.

James was the losing pitcher in relief. He allowed seven runs, six earned, on eight hits and five walks over four innings.

McDowell allowed four runs on three hits and three walks in his only inning pitched. Bobby Clark threw a scoreless sixth.

Jackson was led by Jaco's three hits and three RBIs. Bartels also had three hits for the Indians.

Jackson 400 012 0 -- 7

Sikeston 430 220 x -- 11

WP -- Trey Tigart. LP -- Adam James. 2B -- Zach McDowell (J), Dylan Koehler (J), Trevor Jaco (J), Alex Bolen (J), Logan Bartels (J), Luke Keefer (S).