Sikeston wins its opening game at Jackson's expense

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Jackson American Legion team had one bad inning Wednesday night against Sikeston.

That one bad inning, combined with a strong pitching performance from Sikeston starter Josh Miller, led to a 5-0 loss for Jackson.

The loss dropped Jackson to 6-2, while Sikeston was playing its first game.

Sikeston scored four runs in the bottom of the first off Jackson starter Jason Meystedt. Brandon Crook started the inning with an infield single. Jordan Kimball followed with an infield single, and a throwing error on the play allowed Crook to score. The next two batters reached on a hit and a walk. After Meystedt got the first out of the inning on a pop fly, Ben Pyles drove in the second run with a fielder's choice. Meystedt appeared to be out of the inning when Tyler Stahl followed with a groundball but an error led to two more runs.

"That first inning we gave them a couple of runs, and against a good team, that beats you," Jackson coach Mark Lewis said.

Jackson's best chance came the very next inning, with a bases-loaded situation and only one out. Miller retired Brandon Cooper on a line-out, and Trey Busch struck out. Jackson had more than one baserunner on in an inning only one more time in Miller's seven innings.

"The kid they had on the mound was outstanding," Lewis said.

Sikeston looked sharp across the field in its season opener. Miller struck out only two batters in his seven innings of work but was helped by flawless defense behind him.

"I think we have the capabilities of being a pretty decent defensive ball club," Sikeston coach Charlie Dye said.

After a shaky first inning, Meystedt settled down to go the distance for Jackson. Meystedt limited Sikeston to six hits the rest of the way. In eight innings, Meystedt allowed 10 hits, two earned runs and struck out two.

"He pretty much kept us in check," Dye said. "After the first it was a pretty good, old-fashion ballgame."

Jackson loaded the bases again in the ninth against reliever Bryce Wibbenmeyer. Lance Rhodes came on to face Meystedt with two outs and struck him out on three pitches to end the game.

Meystedt had two of Jackson's six hits.

Next for Jackson will be a home doubleheader against De Soto on Saturday.

Lewis said, despite the loss, he feels his team has played well to start the season.

"We're playing fine," he said. "I'd like to see us ready to go in the first inning, but those things happen."