The Jefferson Dragons saw their post-season drive come to an end last Wednesday, as they fell to the Titans of Blessed Trinity in a two-game sweep.
The Titans would go on to face Cook in the quarterfinals this week.
The Dragons ended their season as the Region 8-AA champions with a 15-1 region record. Their overall record for 2009 was 22-5.
Game One
Blessed Trinity came out looking to take control early, and drew first blood by putting four runs across the plate in the top of the first to take a 4-0 lead. Jefferson answered by getting one run on the board when Jamie Sexton hit the first of two home runs on the night in the bottom of the inning. But the Dragons found themselves even farther behind after the Titans put two more runs across in the top of the second.
After holding Blessed Trinity at bay in the top of the third, the Dragons added two more runs in the bottom of the third, and one more in the bottom of the fourth to close the lead to two runs.
Blessed Trinity then began making pitching changes in an attempt to hold the hard-charging Jefferson sluggers at bay. Over the next three innings, the Titans would put four different pitchers on the mound.
Meanwhile, the Titans put two more runs across in the top of the second, and another two in the top of the sixth. The Dragons continued to hit well and to get runners into scoring position, but had trouble sealing the deal, giving the Titans an opportunity for victory.
Blessed Trinity almost gave it all away in the sixth inning, as they walked three runs in to allow the Dragons to close to within three runs.
The Dragons would close the gap to two runs in the bottom of the seventh, but could get no closer, as Blessed Trinity held on to squeak out a 10-8 win.
Chris Beck recorded the loss, giving up 10 runs and 10 hits while striking out 12 batters in just over five innings on the mound.
Sexton went 3-4 at the plate with two RBIs. Beck went 1-4 with two RBIs, including a home run. Jake Fields went 2-4. Jason Demos went 1-4 with an RBI. Caleb Meek went 1-4.
Game Two
Despite their struggles on the mound in game one, Blessed Trinity hit the field for game two looking to dominate the Dragons.
Titans’ pitcher Alex Cruz held Jefferson to only two hits in six innings, while Blessed Trinity put two runs across in the bottom of the second, and a third across in the bottom of the fourth.
Meanwhile, the Dragons were unable to get any runners across, and found themselves facing their first scoreless game since February.
Jefferson would get one more hit in the seventh inning against a Blessed Trinity relief pitcher, but still could not find a way to score, as the Titans went on to win 3-0.
For more on this story, see Wednesday's edition of The Jackson Herald.
