As remarkable as it is that Nixa has four pitchers who have committed to play juco or college ball, that number could actually be five.

Ace Akers already has an offer from Drury and appears on his way toward attracting more recruiting rapport following his complete-game effort in the Eagles' 5-1 triumph over Waynesville on Monday.

Akers struck out 12 while walking two and throwing a two-hitter. The left-handed junior worked into the fourth and fifth innings in his first two starts and was glad to finish what he started to up his record to 3-0.

"I wanted to complete the game," Akers said. "The best feeling is to complete the game."

He closed things out with a strikeout on his 101st pitch and reported his arm still felt strong. 

"In the past, there was a lot of strain on my arm. But I went to a camp last summer and fixed (my mechanics)," Akers said. "I use my lower body more now. 101 pitches didn't feel too bad today. Years ago, my arm would be hanging real bad after that. But I feel good today."

Akers' outing allowed Nixa (5-0) to win without much offense. The Eagles, like the Tigers managed just two hits. Waynesville helped out with five errors.

"We had to have Ace today because we didn't swing it well at all," coach Jason Daugherty said. "He's been sharp every time he's been out there. What I like more than anything else is he's throwing pitches for strikes. If you can throw multiple pitches for strikes, you're going to be effective. He's got a little zip on his fast ball, locates it well, his breaking pitch is on and his changeup is fine, too.

"His m.o. has always been that of a strike-pumper."

"I've been consistent so far and hope to continue that throughout the season," Akers added. "My mechanics have gotten better. I've been able to throw harder than I did last year. My curve ball felt good today. There were a couple curves that last inning I couldn't get to snap down, but that last one it did. I was really wanting to make sure I got that last strikeout." 

Nixa's pitching staff includes Arkansas commit Isaac Mitchell, Pitt State commit Kinson Michel and Three Rivers signees Jake Uber and Branden Teter. Akers ideally would like to join Mitchell as a future D-I hurler.

"That's the goal," he said. "I'm definitely hoping for a D-I to give me an offer. I'm going to hold off (on committing) and wait until this summer. It gives me confidence that colleges are looking at me as a junior."

For the full game recap, click here.
 

WAYNESVILLE (ab-r-h-bi) — Beyer 2b 2-0-0-0, Kennedy ss 2-2-2-0, Cook 1b 3-0-0-0, Johnson 3b 3-0-1-0, Baker p 2-0-0-0, Benefiel dh 3-0-0-0, Southern c 3-0-0-0, Medley lf 3-0-0-0, Taylor cf 3-0-0-0.
NIXA — Avery 2b 4-1-1-0, Crabtree rf 4-1-0-0, Reid c 2-0-0-0, Michel 3b 3-1-0-0, Chapman dh 2-0-0-1, Long ss 2-1-1-0, Scalise lf 2-0-1-1, Teter ph 1-0-0-0, Engelman 1-0-0-0, Jost ph 0-0-0-0, Cram 3-1-0-0.

Waynesville 000 010 0 - 1
Nixa              020 030 x - 5