Cape Legion drops district pitching duel

~ Ford and Sons lost the first game of a doubheader 2-1 in eight innings

J.C. Chapman and Jacob Trammel were both on top of their games Friday night.

There really wasn't much separating the two Senior American Legion pitchers, but Trammel emerged victorious after the Dunklin County Post 303 A's scored an unearned run without the benefit of a hit in the top of the eighth inning.

The A's notched their first District 14 win of the summer, slipping post host Cape Girardeau Ford and Sons Post 63 2-1 in the opener of a doubleheader at Capaha Field.

"It was a great baseball game," Dunklin County coach Jamie Johnson said. "You can't ask for more out of this level."

Cape Ford and Sons Post 63 Senior Legion second baseman Blaine Crow fields a ground ball from Dunklin County’s Brett Luna during the second inning of the first game of a doubleheader Friday at Capaha Field.

Cape won the non-district nightcap 3-2 to earn a split of the twin bill. Dunklin County is 6-6 overall and 1-1 in District 14 play. Cape is 10-8 and 1-2.

Chapman and Trammel each allowed only three hits as both went the distance in the extra-inning opener that featured only one error, by Cape. It did not figure into the scoring.

"Both pitchers only gave up three hits. That's pretty tough to do," Post 63 coach Justin Lieser said.

Trammel, who will be a senior at South Pemiscot High School in the fall, gave up a first-inning run and nothing else. He struck out 11, walked four and hit a batter.

"I thought Jacob threw the ball extremely well. He battled hard," Johnson said. "Their pitcher was really good. He kept us off-balance. We really couldn't square up many balls off him."

Chapman, who allowed one earned run, struck out eight, walked one and hit a batter.

"I could really spot my fastball when I wanted to and my curve was working pretty good," Chapman said.

Chapman, a recent graduate of Cobden (Ill.) High School, is one of seven players from Illinois on the Cape roster. All have been welcome additions, said Lieser.

"I don't know where we'd be without them," Lieser said. "They've helped us tremendously."

Chapman, the ace for a Cobden squad that advanced to the sectional playoffs this spring, will pitch next year for Mid-Continent University, an NAIA program in Mayfield, Ky. Right now he's enjoying his stint in Cape Girardeau.

"It's fun," he said.

Chapman cruised into the seventh and final regulation inning with a one-hitter and a 1-0 lead.

The A's forged a tie with two of their three hits in the game. Tyson Campbell led off with a double, went to third on Logan Carter's single and scored when Lane Spencer grounded into an RBI fielder's choice.

Cape failed to capitalize with runners on first and third and two outs in the bottom of the seventh.

Dunklin County took its first lead of the night in the top of the eighth despite not having a hit and striking out four times.

"They scored the winning run in an inning where J.C. did some of his best pitching," Lieser said. "That was some tough luck. He pitched his tail off."

Kyle Moore led off the eighth by drawing Chapman's lone walk. He stole second with one out and advanced to third when Justin Norman reached on a passed ball while striking out.

Bryce Wallace, the next batter, struck out but the ball got away from Cape's catcher, who threw to first to retire Wallace. The 15-year-old Moore raced home on the play with the go-ahead run.

"Little things make a difference," Johnson said. "Kyle read that real well, to be 15 years old. He's going to be something."

Cape scored its only run in the first inning. Calvin Lovig was hit by a pitch leading off, stole second with one out, advanced to third on a fly ball out and scored on a single by Thomas Crocetti.

Lieser lamented Post 63's golden opportunity in the fourth inning that featured runners on second and third with nobody out. Trammel escaped the major jam with two strikeouts and a pop fly.

"Against a good team like Dunklin County, you have to cash in," Lieser said.

Post 63 cashed in just enough to win the nightcap that saw Cape have a 6-4 edge in hits.

Cape scored two unearned runs in the first inning, then broke a 2-2 tie with the game's final run in the third inning. Chapman had the winning RBI when he grounded into a fielder's choice.

Devin Austin pitched the first four innings to notch the victory. Chase Eubank hurled two scoreless frames, and Ryan Ochoa notched a save by recording the final three outs -- two on strikeouts.

Austin Wagner was the tough-luck loser, allowing just one earned run in 5 2/3 innings.

Cape is back in action today, hosting Steeleville, Ill., in a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Central High School.