BALLWIN 'ZONES' IN ON TITLE

Ken Eckardt, manager of Ballwin's American Legion baseball team, believes his squad had something to prove Sunday afternoon.

Ballwin could have wrapped up the championship of the Zone Tournament played in Cape Girardeau by beating Dunklin County's Redbirds Saturday night.

But Dunklin County prevailed by a run, handing Ballwin its first tourney loss and forcing one more contest to decide the champion of the five-team, double-elimination event.

Ballwin, however, evidently didn't mind having to play an extra game. Eckardt's squad routed Dunklin County 14-3 Sunday at Capaha Field to qualify for the 1998 American Legion State Tournament that begins Thursday in Columbia.

"We had a lot to get accomplished today," said Eckardt following the title contest that was stopped after seven innings by the 10-run mercy rule. "From the moment we left the field (Saturday night), we were focused to show what kind of team we had.

"I believe the talent level on this team is very high and we played like it today. We got a great effort against a very good team. (Dunklin County manger) Randy (Smith) has done an absolutely terrific job."

Ballwin will enter the state tourney with a 24-11 record. Dunklin County ends its season at 36-13.

Rob Sine, who had pitched 6 1/3 innings to get the win during a 7-5 victory over Dunklin County in Friday's winner's bracket final, once again earned the triumph Sunday.

Sine survived a shaky start that saw him walk five and allow three runs over the first two innings. He settled down and wound up allowing only five hits and just one more walk in 5 2/3 innings.

Eckardt had to replace Sine with two outs in the sixth because the hurler had already pitched the maximum 12 innings over three days under American Legion rules.

"What a job Rob did with one day rest," Eckardt said. "He's a great competitor."

Jeff Cleve hurled the final 1 2/3 innings, allowing just one runner to reach, that coming on an error.

Cliff Collins drilled a three-run homer in the bottom of the second inning to give the Redbirds a 3-1 lead.

But the Redbirds would not score again. And a huge fourth inning by Ballwin put the game out of reach.

Ballwin exploded for nine runs in the fourth, all nine being unearned thanks to a crucial Dunklin County error early in the inning.

Ryan Spillenkothen, who had four hits, belted a grand slam to finish off the explosion that put Ballwin ahead 10-3.

Ballwin put the contest totally out of reach with two in the fifth and two more in the sixth.

Bob Schmalz and Jay Buback both added two of Ballwin's 13 hits. Justin Freesmeier drove in three runs.

Dunklin County ace Keith Robertson got the loss. He allowed six runs (one earned) and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings.

American Legion Baseball

Zone Tournament

(At Capaha Field)

Thursday's Results

Game 1: Dunklin Co. 3, Anheuser Busch 2

Game 2: Cape 4, De Soto 3 (10 inn.)

Friday's Results

Game 3: Anheuser-Busch 11, De Soto 1 (De Soto eliminated)

Game 4: Ballwin 23, Cape 2 (7 inn.)

Game 5: Anheuser-Busch 11, Cape 8 (Cape eliminated)

Game 6: Ballwin 7, Dunklin Co. 5

Saturday's Results

Game 7: Dunklin Co. 7, Anheuser-Busch 3 (Anheuser-Busch eliminated)

Game 8: Dunklin Co. 9, Ballwin 8

Sunday's Result

(Championship)

Game 9: Ballwin 14, Dunklin Co. 3 (7 inn.)