Tourney host Buckeye scored three runs in the first to take a lead they never relinquished as Jackson Parish fell 8-2 in an elimination game that saddled the locals with a third place finish in the Dixie Youth District 8 tournament.

Jackson Parish narrowed the deficit to 3-1 in the bottom of the third inning when Aiden Reed walked and then stole his way around the base paths. That was as close as JP12U would get as Buckeye responded with a run in the top of the fourth and four more in the top of the fifth. Despite trailing 8-1 heading into their final at bat, Jackson Parish showed strong character and great determination by fighting to the end.

With their back against the proverbial wall, JP12U showed no quit as Ryan Sandifer opened the final frame with a walk and went to second on a single by Reed. A walk to Jensen Waggoner loaded the bases but then hope of an improbable rally was squelched in two pitches when an attempt to score on a passed ball resulted in an out and a strikeout followed on the next pitch. 

The loss failed to overshadow a couple of superb efforts, one on offense and the other on the mound. The offensive star was Reed, who got on base in both of his at bats, stole four bases and scored both Jackson Parish runs. Corbin Powell also turned in a strong pitching performance, striking out 10 Buckeye batters in just 3.2 innings pitched and allowing only one earned run. Jaxon Cheatwood and Cason Rogers, who also stole two bases, got the other two hits by JP12U. Waggoner and John Ables also recorded a stolen base each.

Over the three games played by JP12U, Cheatwood led the team in batting with a .667 average, getting 4 hits in 6 at bats that included a pair of doubles, the only extra base hits compiled by Jackson Parish in the tourney. He also led the team with 4 RBI.  Reed led the team with 5 stolen bases and tied for the team lead with Ables with three runs scored and three walks. Waylon Sullivan had the most RBI’s with two.