Junction City shuts out Buckaroos

JUNCTION CITY - With the postseason on the horizon, Junction City’s Keelan Hodge seems to be ready to take the stage in the Dragons’ biggest games.

A sophomore, Hodge fired a threehit shutout to lead Junction City to a 7-0 win over Smackover Friday in the Class 3A-4A District 12 finale for both schools.

The Dragons (21-7, 13-1) nailed down the No. 1 seed for next week’s 8-3A District Tournament earlier this week.

The Bucks (12-14, 9-5) locked up the No. 2 seed after winning at Drew Central back on Tuesday.

As a freshman last year, Hodge won each of his last five starts, allowing just eight runs over 31 2/3 innings.

Against the Bucks, Hodge walked two and struck out nine to pick up his second win over Smackover this year.

The Dragons scored one run in the second and five in the third to break the game open.

Charles Hoof had a single and a double with two RBIs, while Jack Smith had two singles and two RBIs to lead the Dragons’ attack.

Clay Jolley and Ty Disotell each had a single and an RBI, while Brock McGoogan drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and Bryce Ware and Tanner McLelland both had singles for Junction City.

Tucker Evans, Jacob Eubanks and Noah Wilson had one hit apiece for Smackover.

Evans took the loss after allowing eight hits and six runs in three innings of work. He walked two and struck out three.

Josh Saulsbury pitched well in relief for the Bucks, allowing just one unearned run in three innings. He didn’t allow any hits, walked two and struck out one.

Smackover is scheduled to close out the regular season on Monday in a home game against Hampton.

Junction City will play at McCrory on Tuesday in their regular season finale.