SEMINOLE, Okla. - Jefferson College freshman Jason Rackers went nine full innings for the first time this season in the Vikings' 7-1 win last Friday against Seminole State in the NJCAA Division I South Central District Tournament.
In the three-team tournament, Jefferson College opened with a 12-2 against Delgado on Friday and beat Seminole State to advance to the title game. The Vikings lost 12-2 on Saturday to Delgado, then took the winner-take-all game 19-4 in a rematch Sunday to win the district title and advance to the NJCAA World Series.
Rackers (Blair Oaks High School) scattered seven hits in his complete-game effort, finishing with two walks and three strikeouts. He allowed one run in the top of the third inning, then the Vikings scored seven unanswered runs to get the win.
With the win, Rackers improved his season record to 10-1. In 14 appearances this season, Rackers has 95 strikeouts - which ranks 31st in the nation - and 22 walks in 74 innings pitched. He lowered his ERA to 2.68 and has allowed just 22 earned runs.
The complete game was Rackers' fourth this season.
Jefferson College (53-10-1), ranked No. 8 in NJCAA, will open the World Series on Saturday in Grand Junction, Colo., with a first-round game against No. 20 Barton County (Kan.) Community College (47-13). First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. CST.
The World Series is a 10-team, double-elimination tournament which runs through June 1.