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Sikeston Silver Sox break out new look and bats in sweep
SIKESTON -- With a new name, look and roster, the Sikeston Silver Sox Senior Legion baseball team started its season with a new beginning.
The Silver Sox defeated visiting Pemiscot County in both games of a doubleheader Thursday 6-5 and 18-0 at VFW Memorial Stadium.
It's the first season under the new name of the Silver Sox, who still represent the Post 114 legion team. The fresh look was adopted to compete with the surrounding area squads and give the team a new identity.
"We want Sikeston summer baseball to be back where it used to be," Silver Sox head coach Jacob May said. "We want kids to stay in Sikeston and not have to go anywhere else. Appearance is a lot. They see a new logo or new style to the team as far as jersey's and things like that and it's exciting to see. We're hoping to go in a new direction."
The Silver Sox (2-0), who don red, navy blue and silver uniforms with its new mascot complete with old school stirrups, has a roster mostly made up of Sikeston residents. They also have players from Scott County Central, Jackson and Scott City, which includes the Scott-Mississippi Conference Player of the Year, Trent Pobst. The Silver Sox were without four of its expected 17-man roster due to Jackson High School's quarterfinal game as well as Scott City High School who will be playing in the Class 3 semifinals Monday in O'Fallon.
Despite the absent players, the Silver Sox shook off any kind of first game jitters with a six-run second inning in the first game which held up for its first win.
Luke Williams, from Sikeston, hit a bases-clearing double with two outs to double its already 3-0 lead.
Sikeston's six-run advantage stood until the fourth inning when Pemiscot County pushed across one run. They added another three runs in the fifth off of Sikeston starter Jordan Griggs, from Scott County Central. Though Griggs was touched with another run in the top of the seventh to bring Sikeston's lead to just 6-5, Sebastian Matos, from Sikeston, came in for relief and picked up the save in just 1/3 of an inning to secure the win.
Griggs, who has already signed to pitch for Shawnee Community College, pitched 6 2/3 innings allowing five runs (two earned) on eight hits and four walks. He struck out five.
"Griggs pitched a great game. He was very big for us on the mound," May said.
Cody Rodgers and Wyn Roberds led the Silver Sox with two hits each. Rodgers added two RBI. Sikeston was out-hit by Pemiscot County 8-7.
"The thing you run into in summer ball, that first game with a bunch of new kids together they're going to be tight. We jumped up big and I think that loosened them up a bit," May said. "The thing I was pleased with was the consistency we had and the amount of baserunners."
Sikeston's offense continued its potent attack in the second game scoring eight runs in the first inning and 10 more in the second to secure its three inning victory.
Nathan Hampton picked up the win on the mound after three innings of work and allowing two hits. He also went 2 for 3 at the plate with three RBIs.
Rodgers added two hits, including a double, with three RBIs and Gavin Pobst had one hit with three RBIs. Williams and Matos each had two RBIs as well.
Sikeston's next game will be at home on Tuesday when they host the Charleston Squirrels in a doubleheader starting at 6 p.m.
Pemiscot Co. 000 130 1 -- 5 8 1
Sikeston 060 000 x -- 6 7 3
WP -- Jordan Griggs. LP -- D. Priggel. S -- Sebastian Matos. Multiple hitters: (P) T. Daughtery 2-4, Priggel 2-4, N. Allred 2-4; (S) Wyn Roberds 2-3, Cody Rodgers 2-4. 2B: (P) Priggel, Allred; (S) Roberds, Nathan Hampton, Luke Williams.