Sikeston Legion wins opener

SIKESTON - Since the Sikeston Senior Legion Post 114 baseball team had not had a full team practice except once this season, coach Charlie Dye wasn't exactly sure of what to expect in Wednesday's opener against Jackson.

But he couldn't ask for a better way to start off the year as his Post 114 team defeated district opponent Jackson 5-0 at VFW Stadium.

"What more do you want?" said Dye after the game. "Anytime you can throw a shutout against anybody, you've got to be pleased. It was just a pretty good old-fashioned ballgame. I'm very pleased and satisfied to get a win in the first game."

Sikeston hurler Josh Miller threw seven shutout innings before giving way to Bryce Wibbenmeyer and Lance Rhodes in the final two innings.

It was Miller's first action on the mound since the end of the high school season for Dexter in May.

Sikeston hurler Josh Miller

Sikeston hurler Josh Miller

"Mr. Miller was outstanding on the hill," said Jackson coach Mark Lewis. "He mixed it up well and he got the key ground balls when he needed to. We hit a couple balls hard and didn't get a couple bounces, but other than that he was outstanding on the hill."

Miller scattered five hits, allowing three walks while striking out two in getting the win.

"We looked tired at the plate but at the same token I think it was more the kid on the hill than it was us at the plate," said Lewis. "Maybe it was a combination of both. I really tip my cap. (Miller) mixes pitches up, came inside when he needed to. Jamming kids on 2-0 is a heck of a thing to do and he did that tonight."

Wibbenmeyer threw 1 2/3 innings, allowing one hit and three walks. Rhodes struck out the only batter he faced.

Jackson (6-2, 0-1 district) entered the night with seven games under their belts but it didn't show early as two errors opened up the scoring for Sikeston.

Post 114 took advantage of the defensive mistakes and plated four runs in the bottom of the first.

The big one was a two-out ground ball by Tyler Stahl which went right through the legs of second baseman Trevor Thompson, allowing two runs to score.

Post 114 tacked on one more run in the bottom of the third when a Drew Lawrence sacrifice fly brought home Matt Smith.

After that, Jackson pitcher Jason Meystedt kept Sikeston's offense at bay.

"I thought Jason threw well, but you can't give a good team more than three outs and that's what we did in the first inning," said Lewis. "We had the two errors and that really hurt us."

The left-handed Meystedt went the distance, throwing eight innings and allowing nine hits and five runs (three earned). He walked five and struck out two.

"We got out to a pretty good start but you have to give Meystedt credit from there on --

he pretty much kept us in check," said Dye.

Sikeston also played a stellar game defensively, committing no errors on the night.

"I think we have the capabilities of being a pretty good defensive ballclub -- especially up the middle and at third base," said Dye. "Lance played really well in centerfield today."

Heading into the game, Dye knew his pitching and defense would be solid, but he was a little leery of what his team could do offensively.

Sikeston did manage nine hits but couldn't put together much of a rally outside the error-plagued first inning.

"If we can just be consistent offensively I think we've got a chance to be a pretty good ballclub this summer," said Dye.

Jackson only had six hits led by Meystedt with two singles.

Rhodes and Smith led Sikeston with two hits each, including a double apiece.

Sikeston hosts DeSoto tonight in a doubleheader starting at 6 p.m.