Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

JACKSON — With the offense missing, so was the chance to advance.

Fairland managed just three hits in a 6-2 loss to the Jackson Ironmen on Thursday in the Division II sectional finals.

Jackson’s Aaron Abrams and Tyler Shortridge combined on the three-hitter. Fairland had a hit in the first inning but didn’t get another until the seventh.

Fairland wasted little time getting on the scoreboard by getting a run in the top of the first inning.

Kyle Sowards beat out an infield hit, stole second base, went to third on a sacrifice by Matt Aliff and scored on a sacrifice fly by Collin Damron.

Jackson (17-8) came right back to tie the game in the bottom of the inning on a single by Shortridge and a double by Tyler Spriggs.

The game remained tied until the fourth when Dillon Wyant had a leadoff single, Brier Stanley bunted for a hit and Tyler Neal hit a two-out, three-run homer.

The Ironmen added a pair of insurance runs in the fifth inning.

Spriggs singled, Nathan Parks walked and Wyant had a two-run single.

The Dragons continued to battle as they scored a run in the seventh.

Evan Russell singled to start the inning, Brandon Burcham walked and Tyler Campbell singled home pinch-runner Robert Thompson.

Kyle Raines took the loss. He struck out eight, walked three and hit a batter.

Fairland ends the season 12-11.

Fairland 100 000 1 = 2 3 2

Jackson 100 320 x = 6 10 2

Kyle Raines and Garret Scheibelhood. Aaron Abrams, Tyler Shortridge (6) and Nathan Parks. W-Abrams (IP-5, R-1, ER-1, H-1, K-5, BB-2). L-Raines (IP-6, R-6, ER-6, K-8, BB-3, HBP-1). Shortridge IP-2, R-1, ER-1, H-2, K-2, BB-1. 2B-Jackson: Tyler Spriggs. HR-Jackson: Tyler Neal. Hitting-Fairland: Kyle Sowards 1-4, Collin Damron rbi, Evan Russell 1-3, Tyler Campbell 1-1 rbi; Jackson: Tyler Neal 1-3 rbi-3, Tyler Shortridge 2-4, Tyler Spriggs 2-3 rbi, Dillon Wyant 2-3 rbi-2, Brier Stanley 2-3, Hunter Sexton 1-2.