JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — The Jackson Giants split a twinbill with the visiting Evanston Outlaws Tuesday afternoon to stay 1-game over .500 as they prepare to hit the road for 4 games in Utah at the St. George Tournament beginning Wednesday night.
Jackson 9, Evanston 6
It looked like the Giants would cruise in the opener as they scored in every inning while starter Aaron Huggins mowed down Outlaw hitters through a scoreless 4 innings. But the wheels came off for Huggins in a rocky 5th inning when Evanston plated 5 runs to climb right back into it.
Trayson Kostial held the fort in relief to pick up the save. Huggins picked up the W to go 4-3 on the season.
The Jackson offense was good, not great. They managed 8 hits and took advantage of 3 Evanston errors as they tagged Outlaw starter Hank Allred with the loss.
Ethan Garner and Trayson Kostial had multi-hit games—Kostial stroking an RBI triple to right.
Evanston 7, Jackson 2
Evanston flipped the script in the nightcap, tagging Ethan Garner (0-4) for 3 runs in the opening frame and never looking back. Mason Wright and Wylie Wilkes were excellent in relief as they tried to stem the tide for a Giants’ comeback that never materialized.
Outlaw starter Brecken Rich tossed a complete game gem for Evanston, scattering 7 hits, 2 runs, while striking out 3. Rich pitched to contact, stayed off the barrel of the bat and let his outfield do the heavy lifting behind him, including a web gem game from Damion Kaman who tracked down everything the Giants pounded out to left field—5 well-hit balls in all that Kaman turned into outs.
Ethan Garner had another strong day at the plate to lead the Giants offense, which did not come to life until late in the game with runs in the 6th and 7th innings. Too little, too late for the comeback.
Next up
With the split, the Giants are now 20-19 on the season and headed to Utah where they will play 4 games—facing St. George Wednesday, Stansbury on Thursday, Colorado Mesa on Friday, and then an undetermined opponent to close out the tourney on Saturday.
