The Jackson Giants looked sharp after a long layoff, challenging the powerful Laramie Rangers in a close loss before rebounding for 3 straight wins at the Southwest Series tournament in Rock Springs last weekend.
Laramie 5, Jackson 0
The Giants lost to these same Laramie Rangers (8-4) back on May 1 by a 15-7 score.
This time around, Jackson was able to keep it closer and keep the Rangers bats quiet for 3 innings behind the pitching of Post 43 newcomer Wylie Wilkes. The hard-throwing righthander kept the Rangers off the board until the 4th when Laramie posted 3 runs thanks to an ill-timed base-on-balls and error.
The Giants bats never got going and Wilkes was tagged with the loss, allowing 4 runs in 5 innings of work on 5 hits. He struck out 4 and walked 2. Owen Khanna worked the final 2 innings in relief.
Jackson 10, Rock Springs 6
Jackson rebounded in the nightcap Saturday against the Rock Springs Stallions (2-16)—a team they have beaten 3 times in 3 previous matchups. Errors were the Stallions undoing in this one as both teams finished with 6 hits apiece.
The Giants added solo runs in the 1st and 2nd innings, plating 2 more in the 4th.
Ethan Garner cruised through the first 3 innings and helped with his bat (2 for 5 with 1 run scored). Then came the 4th. Coach Jason Huggins wanted to get a look at what other arms he might be able to depend on in the early season.
Matt Fisher struggled with his command and wouldn’t last the inning as he gave way to Bridger Hammond after giving up 6 runs, 3 hits, and 3 walks. Hammond finished out the inning after surrendering a bases-clearing triple but the Giants were suddenly looking at the wrong end of a 6-4 game.
The Post 43 bats went right back to work, however, with a 5-run 5th to reclaim the lead.
Ethan Garner went 2-5 with a double to lead the Giants.
Jackson 18, Green River 6
The Giants bats came to life Sunday against the Green River Knights (3-7), thumping out 12 hits and plating 18.
Garner was again ridiculous at the dish, banging 3 hits in 3 trips with 5 RBIs and a homerun. Another rookie Trayson Kostial added a 2-run homer of his own.
Mason Wright chipped in with a 3-4 day including a double and triple and 2RBI. Wylie Wilkes and Xander Witt added two hits apiece in the offensive onslaught.
Lefty Mason Wright picked up the win with 4 impressive innings. He surrendered just 1 run on 3 hits while striking out 3.
Jackson 15, Evanston 5
Jackson again struck early in their final game against the Evanston Outlaws (3-8).
Ethan Garner continued his redhot weekend, going 3-4 and scoring 3 runs. Trayson Kostial whacked another home run, and Mason Wright was a perfect 3-3 at the plate with 2 RBI.
Aaron Huggins, who started the year as the team’s hottest hitter, found his stroke again after a quiet Saturday. The big man went 3-4 with 1 RBI. Matt Fisher settled nicely into the lead-off role with a 2-3 game, walking once and scoring 3 runs.
Xander Witt went the distance in the shortened game. His line: 4I, 6R, 7H, 3K, 4BB.
Next up
With the 3-1 weekend at Rock Springs, the Giants improve to 8-6 on the season.
Post 43 hosts the northern half of the Southwest Series this weekend beginning Friday with a doubleheader against Rock Springs at 5:00pm and 7:30pm at Giants Field in Jackson. Saturday, Jackson faces defending champs Cody Cubs for the first time this season at 5:45pm. The Giants will close out the home tournament against Gallatin Valley Montana at 8:00pm.
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