Zone 4 tourney features tough field

The Jackson Post 158 Senior American Legion baseball program successfully bid to host this year's Zone 4 tournament.

That meant Jackson automatically qualified for the five-team, double-elimination event -- but Post 158 was intent on not backing into the field.

Jackson made sure of that in a big way, winning its second straight District 14 tournament title last week by rolling through the event without a loss.

"You always want to win your way into things," Jackson coach Mark Lewis said. "That's two years in a row now we've done that."

So Jackson will have plenty of confidence and momentum entering the zone tournament that begins today at Whitey Herzog Stadium.

"We've got a lot of momentum. I think we have a good shot at winning it," Jackson first baseman and pitcher Cody Heisserer said. "We played really well [at the district tournament]. We just need to carry it over."

Jackson (38-7) opens the tournament at 11 a.m. against District 14 tournament runner-up Dunklin County Post 303 (24-12), which Post 158 beat twice in last week's district tournament by scores 9-1 and 9-4.

Also today, District 10 regular-season and tournament champion Eureka Post 177 (32-12) faces District 10 tournament runner-up Creve Coeur Post 397 (22-12) at 2 p.m., followed by the Game 1 winner taking on District 13 tournament champion Festus Post 253 (22-8) at 5 p.m.

There will be three more games Friday at the same times, including the winners bracket final at 2 p.m.

Catcher Chase Simmons and his Jackson teammates will be out to earn a berth in next week’s American Legion state tournament in Sedalia, Mo.

Saturday's schedule features the losers bracket final at 1 p.m. and the championship at 4 p.m. An if-necessary title contest would be played at 1 p.m. Sunday.

The zone champion earns a berth in next week's state tournament in Sedalia.

"We're really excited to be hosting," Jackson catcher Chase Simmons said. "We've got a ton of confidence but we just have to take it one game at a time."

Jackson will be looking to improve upon last year's zone showing when the event was hosted by Cape Girardeau at Capaha Field. Post 158 went 1-2.

Lewis' squad certainly appears to have the credentials after Post 158, whose program only has been in existence since the late 1990s, captured its third district title and second in a row last week.

Many of this year's Jackson players also were on last summer's squad that went 37-17, which fueled expectations for a big season. Post 158 has lived up to that billing.

"I think we've had a very good season so far," Lewis said. "We have good kids and the coaches have done a good job."

Jackson features a deep pitching staff, which will take on added importance since the Game 1 winner will need to play one more contest among squads that remain in the winners bracket.

"We do have a lot of pitching," Lewis said. "That's a big part of it but you just have to come in and play well."

Lewis knows his team faces a major challenge because the zone field appears loaded, as is usually the case.

Creve Coeur is the defending zone champion, but Eureka proved to be this year's class in the competitive District 10 that covers most of St. Louis County.

Festus won its sixth straight District 13 tournament title and the squad has quite a recent tradition. Post 253 became the first American Legion baseball team since World War II to win three consecutive Missouri state titles when it claimed crowns in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The 2009 edition advanced to the American Legion World Series.

Then there is perennial District 14 power Dunklin County, which Jackson is very familiar with. The teams have met six times this year, with Jackson winning five of the matchups including the two during last week's district tournament.

"I think all five teams should have a realistic shot at winning it. I don't know if that's been more true than this year," Lewis said. "You look at the records ... everybody has a good ballclub."

Jackson has faced every other squad in the zone and most of the games were highly competitive, including the six with Dunklin County.

Post 158 split a doubleheader with Eureka, lost to Festus and lost to Creve Coeur.

"Just about all the games we've played with the teams in this tournament have been close," Lewis said.

Lewis said no squad appears to stand out as a favorite, which should make for an especially intriguing tournament.

"We've been playing well but the other four teams have been playing well too," Lewis said. "You're going to face good pitching, there will be good hitters. It should be a great tournament, with big crowds. We're excited."

Noteworthy

* All Jackson games in the zone tournament will be broadcast by ESPN-1220 AM.