Post 43 plays some thrilling ball at home

JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — The record isn’t wholly impressive but the onfield product is sure fun to watch. The Jackson Giants took 2 of 3 from the visiting Rock Springs Stallions to improve to 11-39 on the season, and they did it in dramatic fashion.

Jackson 6, Rock Springs 5

The opening game of a doubleheader Friday was delayed for pregame ceremonies that included an induction into the Wyoming Hall of Fame for Jason Huggins, Tim Shibuya, and Michelle Doyle.

Coach Huggins went on to pull all the right strings in getting the 1-run win over the Stallions.

First off, Huggins was again quick to hook starter Mason Wright. The lefty struggled with command, surrendering 2 earned runs in one inning of work. At just 32 pitches, Huggins is being careful with Wright who returns to the lineup after missing most of the season with an ankle injury.

Aaron Huggins earned the win, pitching a gutsy 6 innings in relief. He threw 107 pitches, giving up 2 earned runs on 4 hits and 4 walks. He also struck out 5.

Coach Huggins must have known something about son/player Huggins as he left the burly righthander in the game to work the 7th innings despite a pitch count approaching triple-digits at the time. Huggy got the job done and the Giants bats came alive when needed; none more so than Lucas Gralund.

Gralund turned on a Parker Ross fastball, depositing it beyond the left-centerfield wall for a 2-run blast that ties the game at 3-3 in the 2nd. It stayed close until Jackson struck 3 more times in the 5th for a 6-4 lead, which they would nurse to victory.

Matt Fisher is tearing the cover off the ball lately. The Giants outfielder went 3 for 3 with a trio of sharply hit singles to lead Post 43 offensively.

Rock Springs 10, Jackson 3

Stallions starter Dylan Johnson did a sneaky good job of keeping Jackson hitters offstride all game in the nightcap. He picked up the win, scattering 4 hits, 1 earned run on 5 Ks and 3 walks in his 5 innings. Dominick Gunyan secured the save with 2 strong innings in relief.

Xander Witt (1-7) was a little shaky on the mound for Jackson. He allowed 7 runs on 8 hits while walking 5. Matt Fisher worked a fairly quiet 4 innings of relief but the Giants bats couldn’t get back in it.

Austin VanSkike, who has really come alive since the Evanston trip, went 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Jackson 18, Rocks Springs 13

For the second time this season, these two teams played to an identical football score of 17-13. They did the same back on April 24 during the season opening in Rock Springs.

The game was a sloppy one, with 10 errors overall. Not a coach’s dream game but very exciting with 5 lead changes. Post 43’s 7-run 2nd was almost a backbreaker but credit Rock Springs, they did not quit and took a 10-9 lead after 3 innings.

The Giants put up 5 in the 5th on singles by Parker Bleggi (1 for 1, RBI), Matt Fisher (3 for 4, 3 RBI), and Steven Ashurts. Alex Nissenberg returned to the lineup and went 3 for 4, with 3 RBI).

Coach Huggins used Warren Newton, Owen Khanna (W), Luke Moore, and Ayden Gralund on the mound.

Next up

The Giants don’t have long to rest as they host Evanston for a pair on Monday (2pm, and 4:30pm). The Outlaws come in with a record of 28-19. The teams split a doubleheader in Evanston back on July 13.