MADISON — Timely hitting with two outs.
Madison Central would feast off that in the middle innings as the Jaguars were able to get past Starkville 7-2 in a key Region 3-6A matchup at Jaguar Field on Tuesday night to remain unbeaten in division play.
Madison Central (8-3, 3-0 Region 3-6A) and the Yellowjackets (5-5, 0-1) meet again in Starkville on Friday night.
“Tonight’s game was very characteristic of our season. Pitch well to keep us in the game and two hitting,” said Madison Central coach Patrick Robey. “We got an inexperienced team and we want to improve each week and hope we’re still standing at the end of the season.”
Starkville scored the game’s first two runs on an RBI single by Jack Perry in the first inning and an RBI groundout by Kamden Upchurch in the second inning.
Madison Central tied the game at 2 with one out in the bottom of the second inning on a two-run double by Creek Robertson.
The Jaguars then plated three runs in the bottom of the third to take a 5-2 lead on a bases-loaded walk by Will Morgan, a sacrifice fly by Luke Robertson and on a balk.
Madison Central tacked on runs in the fourth and sixth innings on RBI singles by Parker Nelson.
Nelson had three hits to lead the Jaguars.
“Getting guys on base with one or two outs and able to steal some bases was big for us,” Robey said. “Starkville is a good team and we got to regroup and go up there Friday ready. Every district game is tough and to start 3-0 is great.”
Wyatt Blalock (3-0) got the win on the mound for Madison Central, lasting sixing innings and giving up seven hits, two earned runs, two walks and seven strikeouts.
“He was not at his best tonight and we tell him all the time he’s going to have to win with other pitches,” Robey said. “He settled down in the middle innings and got it done.”
Jaden James and Jackson Owen each had two hits to lead Starkville.
Jack Perry (1-2) took the loss on the mound for the Yellowjackets going four innings, giving up five hits, six runs and six walks. He struck out four.
Starkville pitchers walked nine Madison Central batters.
“We came out swinging and executing our short game and they just punched us back,” said Starkville coach Luke Adkins. “We outhit them, but they hit the ball better with two outs and we had way too many walks. You can’t give a team like that too many baserunners.”
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.