JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — What doesn’t kill makes you stronger. That’s the philosophy adopted by the Jackson Giants right now as they grit their way through a tough part of the schedule. The competition they saw in at the Goldsmith Tournament in Billings was very, very good.
Loveland 9, Jackson 1
Ayden Gralund came to play for the Giants, but he didn’t have much company. The scrappy Jackson catcher went 2 for 3 with a triple. Trayson Kostial and Matt Fisher also added hits but that was it for Post 43 in a game that was close most of the way until it wasn’t.
Ethan Garner (0-5) took an undeserved loss as he went 4 innings, allowing 4 runs on 4 hits. His 5 walks didn’t help. The Aces hung a crooked number on Owen Khanna in relief and that’s where the game got lopsided.
Billings Royals 4, Jackson 2
The Billings game Thursday night is one the Giants want back.
Wylie Wilkes (0-8) threw his best game of the year in picking up the loss. He allowed just 2 hits but walked 7 in giving up 2 earned runs. Bridger Hammond pitched a perfect 6th inning in relief but the Giants never could get past a 3-run Royals 2nd inning.
Matt Fisher, Trayson Kostial, and Ayden Gralund had the one hits for Post 43—Kostial’s a triple. The patient Giants hitters were also gifted 7 base-on-balls.
But Jackson left 8 men on base and could not bunch the hits into run-producing innings when they needed them.
Sheridan 18, Jackson 3
The Sheridan Troopers continue to look sharp as they and the Gillette Riders have been dominant in the conference. The Troopers brought their bats Friday as they pounded out 10 hits, 18 runs and took advantage of a sloppy Giants team in the field that committed a season-high 7 errors.
Ayden Gralund, Owen Khanna, and Warren Newton all took turns on the bump, and all got knocked around pretty good.
Mason Wright was 2-2 with 2 RBI for Jackson. Wylie Wilkes, Matt Fisher, and Lukas Gralund also added singles in the loss.
Billings Scarlets 8, Jackson 2
The Giants’ offense showed more life on Saturday night against the Scarlets with 9 hits in total. In fact, they outhit Billings but just couldn’t turn hits into runs as Post 43 left 10 men on base.
Mason Wright (4-2) pitched fairly well getting saddled with the loss. Only 1 run of the 5 he allowed was earned. Walks (6) and errors (4), again plaguing the Giants. Wright did go 2-2 at the plate with a triple.
Jackson 10, Loveland 8
Post 43 salvaged the trip with a win Sunday morning in a real battle with the Aces where they exacted sweet revenge for the loss to open the tourney.
Aaron Huggins (6-3) wasn’t his typical self on the mound as the big righty allowed 7 runs (4 earned), on 6 hits, while striking out 3 and walking 5. Xander Witt pitched 2 innings of strong relief for the save.
Ayden Gralund continued his torrid pace of late. The Giants leadoff hitter has worked his average up to .313 while continuing to be a difficult guy to strike out. The contact hitter has whiffed just 17 times in 174 plate appearances. He was 2-4 with an RBI.
Ethan Garner went 3-4 with 2 RBI, Matt Fisher went 2-4 with an RBI, and Trayson Kostial knocked in 3 runs. Bridger Hammond’s 3-run double in the 5th proved the game-winner as the Giants took a lead they would not relinquish.
Next up
Jackson is now 23-27 on the season with 5 games coming up in the Mountain West World Series in Cheyenne this weekend.
