Lions punch ticket to Class 3A tourney
GREENLAND — After scoring
25 runs in three games during the
3A-4 district tournament, Jessieville relied on the strength of its pitching in the first round of the
3A-1 regional tournament Friday night.
Senior left-hander Kaleb Moody dazzled in a complete game performance, surrendering two unearned runs on four hits with one walk and six strikeouts as the Lions edged Elkins 3-2 to secure a spot in next week’s Class
3A tournament at Harrison Parks. It will be Jessieville’s first appearance in the state tournament since winning the 2011 Class 3A championship.
Moody and Dylan Anderson combined for five of Jessieville’s seven hits, Anderson driving in one run. Ethan Goessman and Adam Saveall had one hit each for the Lions while Logan Perkins drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.
Elkins starter Bryce Parrish suffered the loss with three runs allowed on seven hits in seven innings pitched, striking out two while issuing one walk.
Will Trolinger doubled and scored one run for the Elks, and Trey Vance had the team’s lone RBI.
• Facing 3A-4 No. 1 seed Atkins in the second round, the Lions managed just three hits in a 10-0 loss in five innings Saturday afternoon.
Starter Dalton McClard was tagged for four runs on two hits with one strikeout in 1 2/3 innings. Saveall surrendered six runs on one hit with three walks and two strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings of relief.
Dakota Fortenberry had two hits in three plate appearances for the Lions while Chase Pedersen singled once in two at-bats.
Ben Jackson and Kennen Martin each had two RBI for the Red Devils, and Dylan Wilson finished with one double and one walk in three plate appearances.
Atkins starter Connor Jackson tossed a complete game, scattering three hits and one walk while striking out two in five innings.
Jessieville will face Charleston in the third-place game at noon Monday, the Tigers falling to host Greenwood 9-6 on Saturday. The Lions entered the 2011 Class 3A tournament as a No. 3 seed before reeling off four straight wins.