Sikeston derails Jackson 10-1

Jackson's baseball team entered Thursday's home game against Sikeston riding a three-game winning streak, including two this week over a pair of strong Class 3 teams in North County and Notre Dame.

Unfortunately for the Indians, they could not make it three quality Class 3 wins in four days, dropping a 10-1 conference game to the undefeated Bulldogs (13-0, 6-0).

"We had some opportunities early, and we had a couple of bad pitches that really cost us," Jackson coach Rex Crosnoe said. "We had a couple of 0-2 pitches that were too good."

Jackson (8-3, 2-2) looked like it would jump on the weary Bulldogs, who were playing their eighth game in seven days, right off the bat. Tyler Profilet and Trevor Thompson put together back-to-back singles, putting runners on first and third with only one out. Sikeston star Blake DeWitt got the next two hitters to fly out though, avoiding any damage.

"I think them not scoring in the first inning gave us some momentum," Sikeston coach Kevin Self said.

Both teams went quietly in the second inning before one of Jackson's "bad pitches" surfaced in the top half of the third. Jackson starter Brandon Gendron yielded a two-out, three-run home run to DeWitt, who sent a 3-1 delivery well over the right field fence despite a strong head wind.

Self analysis"What can you say about the way Blake hit the ball," Self said. "Everything he hit was gold."

Thompson got the Indians on the board in the bottom of the third on a fielder's choice, but that was all the scoring the Indians would do. Richard Landers helped to put the game away for Sikeston with three RBIs over the next two innings.

Sikeston tacked on another run in the sixth inning and two more in the seventh to round out the scoring. DeWitt was the offensive star for Sikeston, going 3-for-4 with a home run, double and four RBIs. Landers finished with two hits and three RBIs.

Self said Thursday's game was one of Sikeston's top performances offensively, with five sacrifice bunts helping to created five runs.

"I thought this was the best game we have had execution-wise," he said.

Jackson could get little going offensively against DeWitt, who pitched all seven innings. DeWitt struck out six, hit one and did not walk a batter. The senior improved his record to 3-0 for the season and 23-0 over his high school career.

"DeWitt did a heck of a job keeping it down and limiting us," Crosnoe said.

Jackson finished with six hits, led by Tyler Profilet's 3-for-3 day. The Indians will finish their week with a road game against Oakville on Saturday.