Wulfers adds to pitching options, lifts Cape to win

Cape Girardeau's Ford & Sons American Legion baseball team continues to look for pitching depth -- and Thursday night Matt Wulfers made a strong case for placing himself near the top of the staff.

Wulfers, who saw little mound action as a sophomore at Notre Dame High School this year, was solid through seven innings in Cape's 13-1 run-rule victory over Stoddard County at Capaha Field.

Ford & Sons, winning three straight games for the first time this season, improved to 9-7 overall and 3-2 in District 14. Stoddard County fell to 2-6 and 1-6.

"Matt pitched one JV game at Notre Dame this year and that was it," Cape manager Tom Reinagel said. "It's encouraging to see him do well, just like it was encouraging to see Mark Wittenborn throw so well Tuesday night at Perryville.

"We're looking for some pitchers besides (ace) John Thies and hopefully we'll be able to develop a solid staff."

Consistent innings

Wulfers, a right-hander, allowed seven hits while striking out 10 and walking three. Five of his strikeouts came in the last two innings.

"I didn't start out too well, but I thought I settled down and finished up pretty strong," Wulfers said.

Shane Kistner led a 13-hit Ford & Sons offensive attack by going 3-for-5 with a double and reaching base four times.

Jeff Brosey and Dustin Tatum each had two hits for Cape, which substituted freely throughout the contest.

Stoddard County took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning -- but that was about the extent of the good news for the visitors, who committed five errors.

Ford & Sons went ahead for good by scoring five runs in the bottom of the second -- getting RBI singles from Kistner, Tatum and Seth Hudson -- and the rout was on.

Cape got five runs in the fourth and rounded out the scoring with a three-run fifth.

Ryan Smith and Waylon Owens each had two hits for Stoddard County. Ryan Libla was the losing pitcher as he gave up five hits and five runs in 1 1/3 innings.

mmishow@semissourian.com

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