JR. LEGION STATE TOURNEY STARTS TODAY

Junior American Legion State Tournament

(at Capaha Field)

Today's Schedule

5:30 p.m. (Game 1): Jefferson City vs. Springfield Glendale

8:30 p.m. (Game 2): Cape SEMO Bank vs. Imperial

Friday's Schedule

10 a.m. (Game 3): Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser

1 p.m. (Game 4): St. Joseph's vs. Game 2 winner

5:30 p.m. (Game 5): Game 4 loser vs. Game 2 winner

8:30 p.m. (Game 6): Game 1 winner vs. Game 4 winner

Saturday's schedule

1 p.m. (Game 7): Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 loser

5:30 p.m. (Game 8): Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 winner

(second game scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m., if no team is undefeated)

Although their baseball season has had more downs than ups, as host of the Junior American Legion State Tournament starting tonight at Capaha Field, Cape SEMO Bank has a chance to turn their fortunes around.

SEMO Bank (15-25) will be the only club with a losing record in the five-team, double-elimination tournament. Cape, which won the tourney two years ago and took third last year, earned an automatic spot in the field as the tournament host.

Defending champion Jefferson City and Zone 4 champion Imperial look like early favorites, but SEMO Bank coach Chris Stanfield has been encouraged by his team lately.

"We've played well the last three weeks," said SEMO Bank manager Chris Stanfield. "We're starting to do the little things and I feel good about our chances."

SEMO Bank starts play tonight against Imperial at 8:30 p.m., following the conclusion of the opening tourney game between Jefferson City and Springfield Glendale at 5:30 p.m.

Action resumes Friday with four games, starting with the losers of Thursday's games playing at 10 a.m. St. Joseph gets its first action of the tourney at 1 p.m., playing the winner of Cape-Imperial.

The loser of that game will turn around and play next in an elimination contest at 5:30 p.m. The Jeff City-Springfield winner concludes action Friday at 8:30 p.m., in a winners bracket battle of undefeated teams.

The tournament could conclude Saturday with two games scheduled. The final losers bracket elimination game starts play at 1 p.m., with the championship final starting at 5:30 p.m. If another game is needed in the double-elimination format, it is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m.

Cape's opening game with Imperial will be a tough early test for the local squad taking into account two factors: 1) Imperial knocked off Chaffee, which won Cape's district, for the Zone 4 title and, 2) Imperial beat Cape twice this season.

"We played Imperial two tough games," said Stanfield. "If we win this first game, it will really set us up nicely in the bracket."

Stanfield will rely heavily on the bats of two .400 hitters in his lineup. Mike Sullivan and Mark Fisher both come into the tourney above the .400 mark. Tommy Wencewicz is batting just under .400.

But Wencewicz's main importance to Cape will be on the mound as he gets the start in the crucial opening game. Wencewicz was Cape's top starter with a 4-4 record.

"Confidence will be a big key to our success this week," Stanfield said. "I have confidence in this team and if they believe in themselves, they can get it done."