SPORTS

BASEBALL DIRTY DOZEN: JC, McKenzie, USJ, Peabody stay top four in rankings

Michael Odom
michodom@jacksonsun.com

The weather has cooperated for the most part this past week, which meant a majority of the teams got to play a large number of games and get the season underway.

So teams like USJ and Jackson Christian traveled to play tougher opponents, and both performed well.

There are also two teams – Trenton Peabody and South Gibson -- in the area still undefeated and playing well at the moment.

Thursday is looking like rain is likely, but here is hoping for sunny days after that with the new Dirty Dozen rankings:

1Jackson Christian (15-A) (11-2) – The Eagles went undefeated in the Ooltewah Invitational and swept District 15-A foe Madison to continue a six-game winning streak. Jackson Christian’s two losses remain against Chester County and Riverside. Last week: No. 1.

2McKenzie (13-A) (6-2) – The Rebels took two losses this past week, but both were against teams outside of West Tennessee – Summertown and Hickman County. McKenzie also improved to 4-0 in District 13-A play with wins over West Carroll and Bruceton. Last week: No. 2.

3USJ (D2-A) (5-2) – The Bruins performed well in Georgia over Spring break, and they came back to open the SportPlus Tournament with a big win over South Side. USJ’s game Wednesday night against Lexington will be a good measuring stick. Last week: No. 3.

4Trenton Peabody (14-A) (7-0) – The Golden Tide picked up three District 14-A wins this past week over Gibson County, South Fulton and Union City for a 5-0 record in district play. Peabody will play some tough competition this weekend in Huntingdon. Last week: No. 4

5South Gibson (13-AA) (7-0) – The Hornets are still undefeated seven games into the season, and that includes a 4-0 mark in District 13-AA play. South Gibson entered into SportsPlus Tournament play on Wednesday night with a chance to win the tournament. Last week: No. 6.

6Riverside (15-A) (7-1) – The Panthers picked up three more wins on the week with the lone loss coming in extra innings against Jackson Christian. Riverside has a big District 15-A series against rival Scotts Hill looming on Monday and Tuesday. Last week: No. 8.

7Scotts Hill (15-A) (5-1) – The Lions took their first loss of the season against South Side, but they also reeled off four wins this past week to get the season in full gear. Scotts Hill got wins over Chester County and McNairy Central along with two over Adamsville. Last week: No. 10.

8Chester County (14-AA (5-2) – The Eagles picked up two wins over McNairy Central in District 14-AA play as Collin McPherson and Brady Clark picked up wins on the mound. Chester County’s two losses are Riverside and Scotts Hill. Last week: No. 7.

9Crockett County (13-AA) (7-1) – The Cavaliers got into District 13-AA play this week and picked up two wins over Westview for the sixth and seventh wins on the season. Crockett County fell last Thursday against South Side for its first loss. Last week: No. 11.

10Milan (13-AA) (6-3) – The Bulldogs went 3-2 on the week with both losses coming in the L.H. Ladd Memorial Tournament in Union City. Milan responded from those losses with a pair of extra-inning wins over Dyersburg to open District 13-AA play. Last week: No. 9.

11Haywood (15-AA) (7-3) – The Tomcats finished off the season sweep of North Side Tuesday to improve to 2-0 in District 15-AA play. Haywood has played a tough schedule with the three losses coming against St. Benedict, Harding Academy and Jackson Christian. Last week: No. 12.

12Lexington (14-AA) (2-3) – The Tigers have lost two games in a row, as the bats just haven’t produced runs against McNairy Central and Hardin County. Lexington has one of the best pitchers in West Tennessee and batting should come as the season goes on. Last week: No. 5.

Teams eligible for the Dirty Dozen rankings are those who represent schools from The Jackson Sun’s 13-county circulation area: Madison, Gibson, Henderson, Chester, Hardeman, Haywood, Crockett, Weakley, Carroll, Benton, Decatur, McNairy and Hardin.

*Records are current through Tuesday night’s action.

Michael Odom, 425-9754

Rankings

The baseball Dirty Dozen will run each Thursday in the print edition, with the soccer Elite Eight running on Friday and the softball Dirty Dozen running on Monday.