CAPE BABE RUTH OPENS STATE PLAY TODAY IN DESLOGE

Cape's Commerce Bank Senior Babe Ruth White Sox open state tournament play tonight at Brightwell Park in Desloge against Jefferson City at 5:30 p.m.

The White Sox enter the tournament 24-14 after clinching their district last week. Besides players from Cape, Commerce Bank picked up four members from district runner-up New Madrid and two from Sikeston.

Commerce Bank coach Steve Williams hopes to mix these new additions into the lineup with his already talented Cape roster. A doubleheader at Chaffee Tuesday night served as an opportunity to join the players together in a game situation."That kind of gives us a chance to see all those kids play and try to put the best lineup we can on the field," said Williams. "Whether we win or lose, we're trying to get everybody a chance to play together and come up with our best lineup before we go to the state tournament."Williams expects to get continued production from Commerce Bank catcher Greg Craft, who led the White Sox with a .361 batting average. Paul Dobbins (.355) and Chuck Brown (.336) are also expected to retain starting spots for Cape.

New Madrid's Brandon Blankenship (.347) and Sikeston additions Brad Heacox (.439) and Matt Shelton (.413) should also see plenty of action.

Williams expects Mineral Area and Jefferson City to be the toughest competition in the double-elimination tourney. The tournament continues through Sunday with another game scheduled Monday night if necessary.