Heavy workload fails to slow down Post 63

The Cape Girardeau Ford & Sons Post 63 American Legion baseball team is in a grueling stretch that has it scheduled to play 14 games in 11 days.

Cape so far has emerged none the worse for wear. Post 63 notched a pair of wins Wednesday, completing a run of eight games in five days. Cape is 7-1 during that span and 16-2 on the year.

"We're really loaded," said Josh Meyer, who pitched a shutout Wednesday. "We definitely have high expectations."

Post 63 hosted a mini round robin event Wednesday, routing Tri-County (Ky.) 12-0 in five innings and rolling past Paragould (Ark.) 13-5. Paragould also defeated Tri-County 7-5.

Cape is slated to play four games today through Saturday in the SEMO Invitational that will be held on several local diamonds. Post 63 then could play two more contests in that tournament Sunday.

Post 63's Jimmy Obermark hits a two-run double against Tri-County during the second inning Wednesday at Capaha Field. (KRISTIN EBERTS ~ kebertssemissourian.com)

"We've played a lot of games and it's been hot, but we're doing well," Meyer said.

Meyer did well in Wednesday's afternoon contest against the Tri-County Titans from Calvert City, Ky., needing just 55 pitches to complete his five-inning shutout.

"Shutouts are always good," Meyer said. "It's exciting, but it's more exciting to get the win."

Meyer allowed two hits, struck out four and walked one. Calvert City seemed intent to swing at many first pitches, which aided Meyer's efficiency.

"One of our goals was getting ahead of hitters. We concentrated on pounding the fastball," Meyer said. "We have a great defense on this team and on a hot day like today I'll take first-pitch swings every time."

Post 63 base runner Ryan Grigaitis safely slides into second base with a stolen baseb as Tri-County's Bill Schroeder fields the throw during the second inning Wednesday.

Meyer also gladly will take the kind of run support he received. Cape was solid offensively with eight hits, including three doubles, and took advantage of six errors that led to half of the 12 runs being unearned.

"It's always easier to throw with a lead," Meyer said.

Jimmy Obermark doubled twice, drove in two runs and scored three times to lead Post 63.

Ryan Grigaitis also had two hits, including a double, and two RBIs. Dustin Crowden added a double.

Post 63 scored a first-inning run as Obermark doubled with one out and came home on a single by Grigaitis.

Post 63 shortstop Jimmy Obermark fields a grounder against Tri-County during the third inning Wednesday. (KRISTIN EBERTS ~ kebertssemissourian.com)

A five-run second inning was highlighted by Obermark's two-RBI double. Cape made it a blowout with six fourth-inning runs, all unearned thanks to four errors.

Cape also displayed a strong offense in the night matchup against Paragould, collecting 11 hits, including a home run by Josh Compas along with two triples by Obermark.

"Everyone seemed to be hitting really well today," Compas said.

Compas belted a two-run shot over the left-field wall near the 330-foot mark at spacious Capaha Field to highlight a five-run third inning that started with Cape ahead just 5-3. Grigaitis added a two-RBI single in the frame.

"It felt good," Compas said of his first homer of the Legion season. "It was inside and I just turned on it. I felt it had a chance."

Obermark had four RBIs, giving him six on the day along with five runs scored.

Grigaitis added two more hits, along with two more RBIs and two more runs scored.

Blake Smith led Cape with three hits and scored three times. Compas added two hits.

Jamie Pickel scattered 10 hits and allowed five runs in five innings for the victory. Trenton St. Cin finished with two scoreless innings, giving up one hit.