CAPE CENTRAL CAPS MISSISSIPPI BASEBALL TOURNEY WITH 4-3 WIN

SOUTH HAVEN, Miss. -- Cape Central High's baseball team defeated Hernando (Miss.) Saturday to finish tied for first in its pool in the Chamber Classic, but failed to qualify for elimination play.

Cape Central (8-2) used a strong pitching performance from Paul Dobbins to edge Hernando 4-3. The Tigers finished pool play with a 3-1 record, but saw Collierville (Tenn.) advance into elimination play. Collierville accounted for Central's lone loss, a 10-1 setback on Friday.

Against Hernando, Dobbins allowed just six hits in six innings. He struck out nine, walked two and did not allow an earned run. Craig Ringwald notched the save with a hitless seventh inning.

Richard Harrison knocked in three of Central's runs, including the game's first run in the second inning. After Ringwald doubled and advanced to third on a wild pitch, Harrison plated the run with a groundout.

Hernando took a 2-1 lead in the top of the third, but Central answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning. Dobbins helped his own cause with a sacrifice fly and Harrison added a two-run single for a 4-2 lead.

Hernando scored its final run in the fourth to account for the final score.

Ross Bennett and Andy Sweet also had doubles in Central's six-hit attack.

Among the Tigers' accomplishments in the tournament was a 9-5 victory Thursday over New Hope High School, the No. 1 ranked large school in Mississippi.

"We played some pretty good teams down there," said Cape Central coach Steve Williams. "We played pretty good and hopefully we got better down there."

Central returns to action Wednesday when it visits Poplar Bluff in SEMO Conference action.

Kelly wins tourney

ANNA, Ill. -- With a pair of 4-0 victories, Kelly (6-1) won a round robin tournament on Saturday.

In its first game, the Hawks blanked host Anna-Jonesboro. Denver Stuckey earned the win; in seven innings he allowed five hits and struck out 10.

Kelly had just two hits, both by Brad Kolwyck, but took advantage of eight walks.

In the second game, against Lone Oak (Ky.), Kelly had seven hits as Nathan Dirnberger went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs.

Jim Hulshof got the win. He went the distance, allowing just two hits and striking out six.

"It was a good day for us to say the least," said Kelly coach Mike Scott. "Our defense made play after play."

JV BASEBALL

Notre Dame sweeps

Notre Dame swept a JV doubleheader from visiting New Madrid Saturday, romping 15-0 in six innings and 11-4.

John O'Rourke pitched a two-hitter with nine strikeouts in the opener.

Matt Bollinger led the offense with three hits while Adam Seyer and Jerrett McGuire both had two. Seyer also belted a grand slam.

Scott Eftink notched the win in the nightcap. He allowed seven hits and fanned nine.

Lance Dohogne and Tony Riley both had two hits.

The JV Bulldogs are 4-5.