Baker hurls Dunklin Co. to victory

Nathan Baker will attend Southeast Missouri State University on a baseball scholarship.

Friday, the recent Kennett High School graduate turned in quite a performance on the field he plans to be calling home for the next several years.

Baker pitched a complete-game shutout and went 4-for-4 at the plate as he led Dunklin County past Festus 8-0 in a winner's bracket game of the American Legion Zone 4 Tournament at Capaha Field.

Dunklin County (36-7) played Oakville (34-9) late Friday in the winner's bracket final, which was still going on as the Southeast Missourian went to press. The winner of that contest would advance to today's 7 p.m. championship game.

At 1 p.m. today, the loser of Dunklin County/Oakville takes on Festus in an elimination game.

Baker just about did it all for Dunklin County. He struggled some on the mound early, allowing six hits over the first four innings, but was able to escape several jams as Festus stranded 10 runners over the first five frames.

But Baker was just about untouchable the rest of the way, allowing no hits over the final five innings. He struck out four and walked five. And at the plate, he singled three times, tripled once, scored three runs and drove in two.

"I didn't have my best stuff, but I did enough and my defense made some great plays," Baker said.

Baker will be continuing a family tradition when he attends Southeast as his father, Randy, pitched for the Indians in the last 1970s. And Nathan is looking forward to it.

"It's pretty neat, with my dad having played here," he said. "I'm excited about coming here. I talk to coach (Mark) Hogan all the time and he's a really good guy."

Dunklin County broke open a close contest by exploding for seven runs and 12 hits over the final four innings after being held to one run and three hits over the first five innings. The squad from the Bootheel also turned in a handful of stellar defensive efforts, including dazzling plays by second baseman Jeremy Lyons and first baseman Dustin Pritchett.

"The defense was awesome," Baker said.

Lyons and Hunter Butler both had three hits for Dunklin County while Matt Thomas added two.

Tyler Norrick took the loss as Dunklin County began to get to him in the sixth. In seven innings, the Southern Illinois University signee allowed six runs (five earned) and 10 hits. He fanned nine and walked one.

"We missed some opportunities early that could have changed the game and then Baker was really tough," Festus manager Pat Bone said.

Festus 8, An.-Busch 5

After losing to Dunklin County, Festus (31-13) stayed alive with an elimination victory over Anheuser-Busch (23-14), which earlier in the day had eliminated host Cape Girardeau.

David Lawrence had three hits, including a home run, while Nathan Picarella also homered for Festus, which had only six hits.

Denny Foster pitched all nine innings for the victory, scattering eight hits.

"Denny gave a great effort," Bone said. "We're just happy to still be playing."

Jim Fulton and Kevin Trott both had two hits for Anheuser-Busch. Mitch Tubbs took the loss.