Artful Dodgers: Jackson's three HRs power sweep of Blytheville

Staff photo by Mike Buhler Dunklin County's Parker Watkins (left) is congratulated by teammate Aaron Booker after Watkins' solo homer in the first game of Thursday's American Legion doubleheader at Blytheville. [Click to enlarge]

BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. -- Over a 12-game winning streak that has saw the Dunklin County Post 303 score with impunity, the Dodgers have had their share of offensive stars.

Thursday, it was Austin Jackson's turn.

Jackson hit three home runs over both games of a doubleheader sweep of Blytheville, leading the Dodgers to 15-6 and 10-0 victories, respectively, over the host team.

Staff photo by Mike Buhler Dunklin County's Joe Campbell takes a pitch during the first game of Thursday's American Legion doubleheader at Blytheville. [Click to enlarge]

"Austin is hitting in the No. 7 hole for us," Dunklin County manager Jamie Johnson said. "He hit three home runs and added another single and double there. He had a good night there in that seven hole."

Did he ever, homering in the top of the first inning of Game 1 to cap a six-run game-opening rally and then adding a two-run shot in the top of the third to make it 9-2 as Post 303 (15-1) never looked back.

"It's very nice to get those type of runs early in the ball game," said Johnson. "It allows our pitchers to relax and pitch with a lead."

Jackson's three-hit, two-homer game set the pace for the Dodgers' 12-hit attack in the opener. Trey Bazzell was 3-for-5 while Parker Watkins and pitcher Aaron McCaig each had two hit, including Watkins' first homer of the season.

"Some guys had great nights tonight," Johnson said, "but they kind of got overshadowed by Austin who had a spectacular night tonight."

McCaig started on the hill and picked up the win, allowing six runs (four earned) and eight hits in six innings while striking out three. Logan Edwards tossed a scoreless seventh inning to finish the game.

Dunklin County kept it up in the nightcap, scoring in every inning and getting a strong game on the mound from Cale Weeks.

The Campbell graduate went the distance, tossing a three-hitter and striking out three in five innings of work.

Jackson was 2-for-2 and added another homer in the second game, while Bazzell was 4-for-4 to cap a seven-hit day and Aaron Booker was 2-for-3 with two RBIs.

"Everybody contributed," said Johnson. "That's what it takes to win ballgames is everybody doing their part."

The Dodgers are back on the field tonight when they open play in a wood-bat tournament in Newport, Ark.

"It's another wood bat tournament for us at Newport," said Johnson. "We're going to see some pretty good competition there. ... They're putting a lot of runs on the board and that's fun to watch."

Notes: Jackson, a recent graduate of Kennett High School, recently signed to play at Shawnee next season. ... Post 303 is not home until June 30, when it hosts the Jonesboro Ricemen in a 5 p.m. doubleheader. The Dodgers play at District XIV rival Cape Girardeau on Monday then heads to Paducah, Ky. for the Brooks Stadium Classic. ... Ten of Dunklin County's last 14 games are at home, and the Dodgers host the District XIV Tournament. ... Former Kennett catcher Billy Fender is playing for Cape Girardeau this summer.