~ Scott City dropped a 13-0 decision in five innings

Two big innings by Sikeston and a lack of timely hitting by Scott City doomed the Rams.

The visiting Bulldogs defeated Scott City 13-0 in five innings Tuesday afternoon.

The Rams tallied five hits but spread them around, while Sikeston exploded for five runs in the second and six runs in the fifth.

"That's been the name of the game for two years," Rams coach Lance Amick said. "Last year we couldn't get a hit when we needed to, and [Monday] against Valle, I think we left 10 or 12 runners on base. Somebody has to step up and ignite this team offensively when we need it. I think it can happen, just hopefully it will come quicker than what it is."

The Rams (1-2) had two hits in the bottom of the second. The other three came in separate innings.

Scott City twice left leadoff runners stranded, once in the first and again in the third.

"Right now, offensively, we're slow," Rams sophomore hurler Landon Robert said. "I know we can put it together soon though."

Sikeston (2-1) got to Robert in the first and second innings.

The Bulldogs did their damage with two outs in the first.

Tyler Anderson singled with one out and scored on a two-out Nathan Rodgers double to deep left field. Rodgers came around to score on a Ross Bohannon single to left to make it 2-0.

Sikeston pounded the Rams in the second.

Evan Underwood drew a leadoff walk and Blake Newman smashed a two-run home run to get the inning rolling.

The Bulldogs tallied three more runs in the inning on three hits and an error to take a 7-0 lead.

"I think he'd be the first to admit it wasn't the best outing in the world," Amick said of Robert. "It was his first varsity start, and a lot comes with a first varsity start. There was a good team on the other side. Landon is going to come out and get the ball again and he's going to battle."

Robert noted that his offspeed pitch was a concern.

"I need to work on my offspeed," Robert said. "I couldn't it over for a strike, or low in the zone. I wasn't keeping the ball down. It was up."

Sikeston countered with Anderson on the mound. The freshman went the full five innings, allowing five hits and striking out six.

Anderson twice worked around leadoff singles and also squeezed out of a one-out, two-on situation in the second by striking out the last two batters.

"I thought he threw the ball for strikes -- his breaking ball and his fastball," Sikeston coach Kevin Self said. "He got ahead today. They aren't a bad ballclub. They threatened in the first and second innings and he wiggled his way out of it with the right pitch at the right time."

Amick was impressed with the freshman's performance.

"He threw the ball really well," Amick said. "You have to tip your hat to a guy who throws five scoreless innings."

The Bulldogs blew open the game in the fifth.

Sikeston drew two walks and added five singles off Rams sophomore reliever Hunter Cox.

A bright spot for the Rams' pitching staff was sophomore Logan Henson, who came in for Cox in the fifth with a runner on first and no outs. He coaxed a fly out and a ground out then struck out a batter to end the six-run inning.

"He came in and kept it low and got some ground balls," Amick said of Henson. "We threw our sophomores in the fire today, but it's going to make them stronger in the end."

Sikeston 250 06 -- 13 14 0

Scott City 000 00 -- 0 5 1

WP -- Tyler Anderson. LP -- Landon Robert. HR -- Blake Newman (S). 2B -- Nathan Rodgers (S), Cody Rice (S). Multiple hits -- Sikeston: Rice 3-4, Anderson 2-4, Ross Bohannon 2-3, Jordan Williams 2-4, Newman 2-3; Scott City: Skylar Cobb 2-3.