College Baseball: Rackers strikes out 14

JOPLIN, Mo. - Jefferson College freshman Jason Rackers struck out a career-high 14 batters Friday in the Vikings' 11-3 win against State Fair Community College in the NJCAA Region 16 Tournament at Joe Becker Stadium.

Rackers (Blair Oaks High School) pitched all seven innings and allowed three runs (one earned) with one walk and six hits to improve his season record to 9-1.

In 13 appearances - 12 starts - this spring, Rackers has struck out 92 batters in 65 innings pitched, lowering his ERA to 2.91. He is tied for 29th in strikeouts among NJCAA Division I pitchers.

Jefferson College (50-9-1) won the Region 16 Tournament on Saturday with a 7-4 win against Crowder College. The Vikings, ranked No. 14 in the nation, advance to the South Central District Tournament, where they will battle Seminole State (37-10) and Delgado (35-14) for a chance to reach the NJCAA World Series.