Jefferson City's Bret Jaegers has one goal every time he takes the mound for the Jays, and that's to work quickly. Jaegers did just that Wednesday afternoon in the Jays' 7-0 win against Quincy (Ill.) High School at Vivion Field.
"Most of the time I try to (pitch fast)," said Jaegers. "I try to get up there and go as fast as I can."
Jaegers pitched the complete-game shutout, scattering four hits and walking none. He averaged less than three pitches per batter faced and had four 1-2-3 innings.
"I really was just trying to go out there and throw strikes, I mean, anybody watching the game could kind of tell," Jaegers said. "I was trying to mix in some off-speed and put some quick innings on there. I think I did that for the most part."
While Jaegers struck out out only one batter, the Blue Devils put the ball in play. But, the Jays' defense was there to make play after play to keep Quincy off the board and off the base paths.
"When he's throwing strikes, he's very effective," Jefferson City coach Brian Ash said. "If you're a defensive guy, it's fun because you're going to get some action. He's not going to strike a lot of guys out, and he can work first-pitch out, second-pitch out or third-pitch out. That can limit your pitches."
After working a 1-2-3 inning in the first, Jaegers did the same in the second, compiling 10 pitches in each of those innings. In the second, Caleb Hankins at second base and third baseman Adam Grunden flashed some leather, taking base hits away from the Blue Devils.
"The best part about it was we had all seniors out there and some of these kids have never played the positions," said Ash. "We just rolled with it and it was really fun to watch."
Hankins was one of those seniors playing a position he doesn't normally play.
"It was big to have Caleb Hankins out there at second base," Jaegers said. "I want to give him a lot of credit for all the plays he made out there."
By the time Quincy recorded its first hit, the Jays were already leading 6-0 with seven hits.
In the first inning, leadoff hitter Jake Pridgin battled back from being down 0-2 to force a full count. On the seventh pitch of the at-bat, he singled to left. After stealing second base, Jaegers helped himself on the mound by hitting a hard ground ball between the third baseman and shortstop to plate the first run.
Jefferson City extended its lead in the second inning, sending nine batters to the plate and scoring five more runs. To start the scoring, Travis Hennessy sent a fly ball over the left field fence for a two-run home run to give the Jays the 3-0 lead.
"Getting on the scoreboard first was huge," Ash said. "We got up 1-0, then Travis with the big two-run shot. He has the potential to do that."
Then, Hankins singled and stole second before Pridgin's double brought him home. A sacrifice fly by Grunden scored Pridgin two batters later, and another RBI single by Jaegers pushed the lead to 6-0.
"We were able to string some hits together and get some runs," Ash said. "Once we got up to six, it's good, but you still want to push."
But Jefferson City could only add one more run in the game, scoring an insurance run in the sixth inning. Hankins singled to left to score Hennessy to extend the lead to 7-0.
Hankins was 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI and three stolen bases. As a team, the Jays swiped eight bases, frequently putting runners in scoring position.
"We always want to be aggressive," Ash said. "Our potential to do it obviously dictates on who's behind the plate and who's pitching. I thought the kid on the mound was working a little slow, and with the catcher, we're going to challenge your arm."
Pridgin had a stolen base while going 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Jaegers was 2-for-3 from the plate with two RBI and Grant Wood stole two bases.
While Jaegers cruised on the mound for most of the game, he ran into some trouble in the sixth inning. Quincy led off the inning with two singles, but were left stranded as Jaegers forced the next three batters into outs.
"Just pitching to contact," Jaegers said. "I really didn't care if they scored, I was just trying to keep my team in it."
Jefferson City (16-11) will host a pair of games Saturday. First a 10 a.m. contest with Staley, then the Jays take on Neosho at 3 p.m.