The Jackson Giants enjoyed a busy holiday weekend in Gillette where the Post 43 boys of summer played five games in three days at the Spring Classic Tournament.
Sheridan 11, Jackson 0
The weekend got started with a tough outing against Sheridan. The Troopers pounded the Giants 11-0 thanks to an 8-run first inning. After that, the Giants settled in but just couldn’t manage any offense as they were no-hit by Dylan Greenough Groom who outdueled Xander Witt for the win.
Jackson 6, Laurel 3
The Giants rebounded nicely with a come-from-behind 6-3 win over the Laurel Dodgers. Laurel got on the board first with a run on an RBI single from Ricky Temporal off Jackson starter Kade Foulke.
Jackson answered in the top half of the 2nd after a leadoff double from Lukas Gralund and a triple from Austin VanSkike.
Laurel would retake the lead on an RBI single from Richie Cortese in the bottom half of the 3rd inning.
The game stayed there at 2-1 Dodgers and settled into a pitcher’s duel with Foulke (6 1/3 innings, 1 earned run, 8 hits, 6 Ks, 4 BBs) matching Laurel starter Ian Bauer every step of the way.
The Dodgers would extend their lead 3-1 with a run in the 5th inning but it was then Jackson made their move.
Gralund walloped an inside-the-park homerun to lead off the 6th. VanSkike later scored on a single by Bridger Hammond.
With the game tied at 3-3 going into extra innings, the Giants exploded for 3 runs in their half of the 8th to secure the win. RBI singles from Hammond and Grant Parkin were the difference.
VanSkike picked up the win in relief of Foulke. He threw 1 2/3 innings allowing just one hit. Aiden Hill took the loss for the Dodgers.
Casper 15, Jackson 0
Post 43 never got rolling against the Casper Oilers Sunday morning. After a scoreless 1st, Giants starter Aaron Huggins got knocked around pretty good, surrendering 13 runs on 9 hits while also walking 4 in 2 1/3 innings work.
Ayden Gralund went 2-2 at the plate. Huggins was 1-1 but the game was halted in the 3rd inning.
Gillette 9, Jackson 1
Grant Parkin had a good day at the plate but not so great on the bump against Gillette. The Roughriders got to Parkin early, plating 4 in the opening frame to hang the everyday shortstop with the loss. All told, Parkin’s line: 3 2/3I, 6R, 7H, 2K, 6BB. Parkin was 2-3 at the dish with an RBI.
Leighton Holden hurled a beauty for the Oilers to get the win. He allowed just 2 hits in 4 innings, striking out 6.
Bozeman 11, Jackson 2
Logan Pailthorpe was all Bozeman needed in routing the Giants 11-2 on Monday morning. Pailthorpe went 3-4, whacking 2 triples and driving in 4. Bozeman’s Michael Armstrong cruised for the win, working 6 innings and allowing just 2 runs on 2 hits.
The Giants just could not take advantage of some sloppy Bucks fielding. Bozeman committed 6 errors in the game.
Bridger Hammond took the loss for the G-Men. He lasted just 2/3 inning, giving up 5 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks. Steven Ashurts went the rest of the way, allowing 5 earned runs on 10 hits.
Next up
The Post 43 Giants are now 5-12 on the young season. Happy to turn the page on May, the Giants will also look to get right at home as they host the Madison Bobcats for a doubleheader this Friday night beginning at 5pm.
Both of those games will be broadcast live on KZ95.
