STEPHENS CITY — Michael Jackson belted an RBI double and scored on John Copenhaver's RBI single in the top of the eighth inning as James Wood remained unbeaten in the Class 4 Northwestern District with a win over Sherando on Thursday.
Deuce Strosnider, who was hit by a pitch to open the inning, was still at first when Jackson smacked a double to center. After taking third on the throw home, Jackson scored on a hit by Copenhaver.
The Colonels (16-2, 11-0) needed that extra run as Sherando (10-10, 6-6) rallied. Trey Williams scored on Brady Largent's sacrifice fly to cut it to 2-1. Reliever Garret McAlexander got a strikeout to end it.
The contest featured a strong pitcher's duel between James Wood's Nick Bell and Sherando's Carlo Lisciandrello. Bell (5-0) threw seven shutout innings, allowing three hits and two walks with nine strikeouts. Lisciandrello tossed 6.1 shutout innings, allowing five hits and three walks with four strikeouts.
Jared Neal had two hits for the Colonels.