If you have been following the Jena Giants this season you would know that they came into the season with not much returning experience. The Giants have played a lot of freshman and sophomores to go along with juniors that are starting for the first time.
The job that head coach Joe Hammett and staff have done has been incredible as the team came into this week with 15 wins on the season and have been positioned to host a first round playoff series for most of the season.
Any time a new coach comes in and there are a lot of new starters, there seems to be an adjustment period where everyone is getting to know each other and understanding their roles. It appears as the season has gone along the team has figured this out and has improved throughout the season.
The Giants would come into the week with a 2-2 district record and on Tuesday, April 7, would host Buckeye, a team who was 4-0 in district and had already wrapped up the district championship but still had a lot to play for as far as playoff positioning. This would be a big test for the Giants as they have come close a couple of times recently to beating some good teams but just couldn’t quiet get the job done.
These two teams have had some good battles in district over the years.
In the 2nd inning the Giants would appear to be in trouble as Buckeye would have the bases loaded and had already scored a run. Junior pitcher Collin Jensen would do a good job to work out of the jam and end the threat.
In the bottom of the 2nd inning Jensen would come up to the plate with the bases loaded and would hit a bases clearing double. The Giants would score 6 runs in the inning to take a 6-1 lead. The Giants would be in control from that point as they would go on to win 11-1 in 6 innings.
Collin Jensen would pick up the win pitching all 6 innings giving up only 1 hit, 1 walk, and striking out 7. Jensen would finish 2-3 with 4 RBIs at the plate.
The Giants would get multi-hit games from Collin Jensen, Carson Willis, Bentley Feeheley, and Jonothan Willis. The Giants as a team would pick up 11 hits. It would be the biggest win of the season for the Giants up to this point and would prove that the young team can beat some good teams when they put it all together.
On Thursday, April 9, the Giants would host Menard for senior night. The Giants have only one senior this season in catcher Carson Willis. Willis has been a three-year starter for the team and has been a leader throughout his career.
However, the tough Menard team would defeat the Giants 12-4. The Giants are now 16-17 on the season and are ranked #15 in the power rankings. By the time this article comes out the baseball brackets will have been released on Tuesday, April 14. The Giants are expected to host a first round playoff best out of three series this weekend.
Check social media for times and dates and let’s pack the park to cheer on these Giants as they look to make another playoff run.
