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Jackson wins error-filled game
NEW MADRID - In a game that saw nearly as many errors as hits and runs, the Jackson Indians held on to defeat New Madrid County Central on Friday afternoon 9-5.
The two teams combined for 11 errors in the contest but it was the Indians that capitalized on the miscues.
Jackson (2-2, 1-2 SEMO Conference) actually committed more errors than the Eagles but was able to work its way out of the jams.
The two teams also combined for 15 walks and two hit batsmen.
"This was one of the worst outings we've ever had that I know of," said NMCC head coach John Jones. "I'm at a loss for words. I've never seen anything like it."
Perhaps most disturbing to Jones was how well the Eagles played against traditional 2A power Notre Dame on Thursday, making Friday's shaky performance even more baffling.
"It's hard to explain," said Jones. "We played extremely well in our first two games. Today it just compounded and there was nothing we could do. I don't want the kids to get down because they're a lot better players than what they showed."
NMCC (1-2, 1-2 SEMO) took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first on Zack Dees' RBI-single and a bases loaded walk from Joseph Baldwin.
The Indians responded with five runs in the top of the third inning buoyed by a couple of Eagle field miscues. Bryan Austin's two-run double gave the Indians the lead for good.
Jackson came back with a run in the top of the fourth and two more runs in the fifth on Brad Berry's two-run double down the left field line to lead 8-2.
"We missed a lot of opportunities and we should've scored a lot more runs," said Jackson head coach Sam Sides. "Both teams made a lot of mistakes. We had some poor decisions on the base paths that probably cost us two or three runs."
NMCC rallied in the bottom of the fifth with three runs to cut the lead to 8-5.
Matt Snider had an RBI-double and Scott Allen had an RBI-single. But the Eagles couldn't get any closer.
Jackson tacked on another run in the top of the seventh.
NMCC stranded 10 base runners in the game in addition to some costly base running mistakes.
"Everybody out there was making mistakes," said Jones. "You give a good team like Jackson extra chances then they're going to take advantage of it."
NMCC's Jake Kimball took the loss, throwing five innings and allowing eight runs (three earned) off seven hits and six walks with six strikeouts.
"This is a good win for us," said Sides. "We lost our first two conference games. Today we made just enough plays to win."
Jackson's Bryan Austin picked up the win, pitching just 1 2/3 innings and allowing two runs off two hits and six walks. Jason Owen pitched three innings of middle relief, allowing three runs off three hits and a walk.
Josh Snell pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings to finish off the game.
Dees went 2-4 with an RBI and a run for NMCC.
Owen went 2-3 with two RBIs and a run while Dusty Roberts went 2-5 with an RBI and a run to lead the Indians. Austin had two RBIs and two runs.
NMCC will play at Cape Central on Tuesday at 4 p.m.
Jackson played in the Anna-Jonesboro (Ill.) Tournament over the weekend. Jackson will host Sikeston in its next SEMO Conference matchup on Thursday.