Ford & Sons wins district game in split with Dunklin County

SENATH, Mo. -- For the first three innings of Friday's American Legion District 14 contest between Dunklin County and Cape Girardeau, Ford & Sons pitcher Brad LaBruyere was not his usual dominant self.

He didn't have to be with Blake Slattery in the lineup.

Slattery blasted a two-run homer in the top of the first inning to give Cape the early lead, then added another in the top of the third as Cape Girardeau downed Dunklin County, 8-3, in the first game of a doubleheader here Friday that counted toward the District 14 standings.

Dunklin County won the non-district second game, 14-4, enforcing the 10-run rule in the sixth inning.

Ford & Sons (24-12, 5-1) moved into a first-place district tie with Scott County.

Dunklin County coach Jamie Johnson was impressed with Slattery in the opener.

"He hit a couple of balls out," Johnson said. "He's a good player. He didn't miss."

In the final four innings, LaBruyere found his groove, allowing just one hit while striking out five and retiring nine in a row at one point.

"He''s a good player," said Johnson. "But that's the second time we've seen him, which helps come districts."

Dunklin County (20-12, 1-4 district) managed to get eight hits off of LaBruyere after just getting two the last time against the hurler.

"We hit him better than I thought we would," Johnson said. "We put the ball in play, and last time we had a little trouble."

Trailing 2-0 entering the bottom of the first inning, Jeremy Patton reached on a fielder's choice and scored on Dustin Hunter's base hit to cut the lead to 2-1.

However, Cape Girardeau answered right back in the top of the third inning, extending the lead to 3-1 on Slattery's solo shot off of losing pitcher Sloan Richardson and tacking on two more runs when Garrett Stevens doubled home LaBruyere and David Sanders.

Dunklin County committed two errors in the top of the fourth as Cape scored three more runs to ice the game.

David Sanders added two hits for Cape.

LaBruyere allowed three runs (one earned) in seven innings while striking out six and walking one.

In the nightcap, Dustin Crane started and earned the win as Dunklin County won its 20th game of the season.

Sanders had two more hits in the game and two RBIs.