COLUMBIA - The Jefferson City Jays opened play Thursday in the Columbia Tournament with a 1-0 defeat against the Francis Howell Vikings at Hickman High School.
Francis Howell, ranked second in Class 6 by the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association, scored the lone run in the first inning.
Sam Maddox led off the bottom of the first by reaching on an error. Maddox advanced to second on the play and scored when Carson Subbert reached on an error.
Jacob Roettgen and Eli Moreland each hit a single off Francis Howell pitcher Matt James, who struck out six and walked one in seven innings.
Case Hager went six innings for the Jays, limiting the Vikings to three hits. He struck out five and walked a pair.
Francis Howell (13-3) dropped its first game of the tournament, falling 9-7 to Battle.
Jefferson City (10-4) will continue pool play today as it hosts Owensville at 10 a.m. and Rolla at 3 p.m. at Vivion Field.