Rain douses hot Jackson offense

Jackson's American Legion team looked primed to win its fifth game over Cape Girardeau's Ford & Sons on Tuesday night at Jackson, but Mother Nature had other plans.

With an 8-1 Jackson (18-6) lead in the bottom of the fourth and runners on, the field was cleared as lightning struck in the distance. Before the players could wait out the lightning, the rain came, washing out the game.

Because it did not make the 4 1/2 innings needed for an official game, a makeup date has been set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Central High School. The game will be a nine-inning district affair.

"I liked the way we were playing the game, but that's the way it goes," Jackson coach Mark Lewis said.

Jackson pounded out nine hits off Cape starter Lee Essner before the rain.

"We had some good at-bats," Lewis said. "Lee Essner's a great pitcher."

Both teams will be in action again tonight, with Jackson playing a district game against Sikeston at home. The Achievers were shut out in their first meeting at Sikeston.

Ford & Sons will host Paducah (Ky.) at Capaha Field tonight.

While Tuesday's game may not have counted, Ford & Sons could feel the effects the rest of the season. Patrick Slattery, Cape's No. 3 hitter, had to leave the game in the first inning with a leg injury suffered on a pick-off play at first base.