BENNETT HR POWERS CENTRAL TO WIN

Cape Girardeau Central's baseball team got a feel for just how balanced the Class 4A district tournament should be this year in its 4-3 win in eight innings at home against Farmington on Wednesday.

Central led 3-2 entering the seventh inning before the Knights scored a run to send the game into extra frames.

Central's Ross Bennett hit a solo home run in the eighth to win the game.

The Tigers improved to 9-10.

"This was the type of game we'll expect come district time," said Central coach Steve Williams. "The district looks evenly matched."

Craig Ringwald (2-3) pitched all eight innings, allowing one earned run on nine hits while striking out nine and walking three.

After Farmington scored two in the top of the third, Central answered with three in the bottom of the inning. Adam Bertrand had an RBI double and Shane Gibson added a two-run homer.

For Central, Bennett went 3-for-4 and Gibson went 2-for-4.

Central will play Rockwood Summit Friday in the Big 8 Tournament.

Central (7-7) won the JV game 8-6 although it committed eight errors and managed only three hits.

Aaron Wolfe pitched a complete game and earned the win.

Down 5-2, the Tigers scored six runs in the sixth inning.

The JV Tigers will play two games against Notre Dame today at Central.