Top-seeded Jackson Junior Legion advances with rout

If the Jackson Post 158 Junior American Legion baseball team felt any added pressure Thursday, it didn't show.

Jackson has a bull's-eye on its back as the heavy favorite to win the District 14 tournament.

But there was no looking ahead for top-seeded Post 158, which rolled past fourth-seeded Scott County Post 369 10-0 in a five-inning mercy rule affair at Central High School.

"I told them in practice, the only thing you need your mind on is Scott County. It's the most important game of the year," Jackson coach Gerald Adams said.

Jackson will carry a 33-4 record into today's 1:30 p.m. winners bracket final of the four-team double elimination event against third-seeded Cape Girardeau Plaza Tire Post 63.

Host Cape beat second-seeded Sikeston Post 114 7-1 in Thursday's other first-round matchup.

"It's a good way to go into the championship game," winning pitcher Zach Elfrink said.

Today's matchup won't actually be the championship game, but the winner will go a long way toward securing the title since it will need only one more victory while the loser would have to win three straight.

Jackson has come up big most of the season and Thursday was no different.

Post 158 was held without a hit in the top of the first inning and Scott County (11-20) threatened in the bottom of the frame.

Post 369 placed runners on second and third with one out before Elfrink struck out the next two batters.

"We started slow but then we got on them," Jackson's Tyler Howard said.

Jackson scored four runs in the second inning and never looked back.

"We had some bad at-bats early, but once we get started it's contagious," Adams said. "This is a really good bunch."

Post 158 finished with nine hits and received seven walks. Jackson, which was errorless in the field, also took advantage of five errors that led to three unearned runs.

Howard and Garret Reynolds each had two hits, including a double. Reynolds drove in two runs -- both on a single during Jackson's four-run second inning.

Speedy Jackson leadoff batter Ryan Harvey did not get a hit but stole four bases, including home on the back end of a double steal in the second inning. He now has 34 thefts in 34 attempts.

"We swung the bats well and we played the 'D,'" Elfrink said.

Elfrink also played a major role in the romp. He improved to 6-1 with the five-inning shutout.

"Zach threw well. I've seen him better, but he battled," Adams said.

Elfrink scattered six hits, struck out seven and walked two.

"My curveball, and my changeup, was striking people out," Elfrink said.

Lane Henson went 3 for 3 with a double to pace Scott County's offense. Nate Finney added two hits.

Stephen Smith was the losing pitcher. He allowed six runs, four earned, and four hits in 2 2/3 innings. He yielded five walks.