Bats quiet for Sikeston Post 114, lose 2-0 to Jackson

sports@standard-democrat.com

SIKESTON -- Two runs was all it took for Jackson to top Sikeston American Senior Legion Post 114's deflated offense.

Jackson Post 158 came away with a 2-0 win behind a complete game shutout by Joe Elfrink Thursday at VFW Memorial Stadium in Sikeston.

"We played well but our sticks were too quiet," Post 114 head coach Craig Templeton said.

Post 114 starter Austin Godwin also went the distance, but allowed two runs (one earned) during the top of the fourth inning.

Jackson's Cody Harris reached base with one out in the inning due to a Sikeston fielding error. A triple by Kyle James scored Harris for a one-run edge. Post 158 made it 2-0 two batters later when Steven Pocult hit a two-out single down the left field line scoring James.

"We had one costly error and then the triple," Templeton said about the fourth inning. "After that our defense stepped it back up."

With Jackson breaking through in the fourth, Godwin kept Post 158 at bay for most of the night. The only other time he was truly threatened was in the top of the seventh when Jackson put two runners on to start the inning with back to back walks. The lead runner was picked off trying to steal third on a double steal attempt while the other was left stranded at second.

"Godwin threw really, really well and he's somebody I can always count on," said Templeton. "He worked into a couple jams but his defense stepped up. He was getting tired late at the end of the game and you could tell he was exhausted, but still came through for us."

Sikeston scattered just three hits and was sat down in order the first three innings. Their first hit was a two-out single by Wynn Roberds in the bottom of the fourth.

"Don't get me wrong, (Elfrink) threw well but we looked at too many pitches," Templeton said about Sikeston's offense. "Defense was there and we had a few costly errors, but other than that our offense just wasn't there."

Jackson 000 200 0 -- 2 5 0

Sikeston 000 000 0 -- 0 3 2

WP -- Joe Elfrink. LP -- Austin Godwin. Multiple hitters: (J) Kyle James 2-3.