Post 63 takes a pair from Sikeston

SIKESTON -- Coming off a two-game sweep of Poplar Bluff the day prior, Sikeston American Legion Post 114 entered Friday's District 14 game against Cape Girardeau Ford and Sons Post 63 looking to maintain some momentum.

Unfortunately for Sikeston a late-inning hit barrage couldn't save them an early eight-run hole as Post 63 held on for a 12-9 win.

"It's pretty typical of our team so far this year," Sikeston head coach Pete Kennard said. "We got down early and seemed to not care. Once we started hitting things seemed to come around, but it was too little, too late."

Post 63 wasted little time seizing control of the game with a three-run rally in the top of the first inning. By the time Sikeston came up to bat in the fourth, Post 63 had taken a daunting 8-0 advantage thanks to a five-run outburst in the top of the frame.

Sikeston started to gain a little momentum starting in the fifth, however, when Jashawn McDaniel connected for Sikeston's second hit of the contest. With runners on first and third, Sikeston finally broke through when Austin Godwin sent a ground ball down the third baseline to clear the bases and put his team on the board, 8-2.

"It's the spark we needed," Kennard said of Godwin's single. "Once we started hitting the ball it was like priming a pump."

A four-run rally by Post 63 to start the sixth boosted the lead to 12-2, but Sikeston struck again to avoid the mercy rule.

With Post 63 needing only two outs in the bottom of the sixth to close the game out, Josh Hampton kept Sikeston's hopes alive by collecting a walk before being driven home by McDaniel.

Sikeston mounted a rally in the bottom of the seventh as Luis Matos led off with a double before coming around to score.

Later in the frame McDaniel doubled in two more runs to make it 12-6. Two at-bats later, Logan Frazier made Post 63 pay for a walk to Adam Kennard with a two-out, three-run home run to left that brought Sikeston within 12-9.

Unable to add to the six-run rally, Sikeston saw its comeback dashed on a called third strike to end the game.

"Give Sikeston credit," Post 63 head coach Justin Lieser said. "They could have easily tucked it up and said let's get the next game.

"But they kept at it and when you get guys on base, you see what happens there in the late part of the game."

Post 63 outhit Sikeston 11-9 in the game with Ryan Ochoa going 2 for 4 with a double and a three-run home run. Cambron Womack had a three-hit effort that included a triple, and Ryan Tegel contributed a pair of singles to the cause.

For Sikeston, McDaniel was 2 for 4 with a double. Matos and Jarett Sandlin each collected a double. Frazier had a home run and three RBIs.

Cape starter J.C. Chapman picked up the win, going 5 1/3 innings and allowing three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four.

"J.C. was cruising for the most part," Lieser said. "I came out (to the mound) and wasn't even planning on taking him out, but he told me his arm was a little sore.

"He's a guy we'll need down the stretch. We were fortunate enough to have a big enough lead to make a move and dodge some bullets there at the end."

In the non-district nightcap, Wyatt Isom had a triple and drove in three runs as Post 63 won 6-4 in eight innings. Trevor Propst added two hits and drove in a run.

Ochoa earned the win in relief, pitching 1 2/3 innings and striking out four. Propst started on the mound and gave up four runs -- just one earned -- in 6 1/3 innings.

Post 63 improved to 2-2 in district play and 13-10 overall, and will travel to Blytheville, Ark., for a 5:30 p.m. doubleheader on Monday.