DANIELSVILLE — Jefferson suffered what could be a key 6-2 Region 8-AAAA loss to Madison County Monday night on the road.
The Dragons (15-11, 6-7 Region 8-AAAA) dropped into a tie for third place with St. Pius with the loss. They will head back to Jefferson on Wednesday to take on the Red Raiders in the second game of their season-ending three-game series.
Jefferson, however, can still finish second if it can beat Madison County in the final two games of the series.
Madison County (13-13, 8-5) never trailed jumping on Jefferson starter Brooks Beddow with three runs in the first inning. Beddow lasted just 1 2/3 yielding three runs on three hits.
The Red Raiders added two runs in the third and one more in the sixth for a 6-0 lead. The Dragons plated two runs in the seventh on a two-run single by Lane Watkins. They had the tying run at the plate twice but Justin Cole and Chaz Evans both struck out to end the game.
Watkins had two of Jefferson's four hits. Zac Corbin and Carter Evans had the other two hits.
Madison County starter Aubrey Davis gave the Dragons plenty of chances as he walked eight to go with the four hits. But he fanned 10 in the complete-game effort to get the win.
