Cape Central downs Sikeston, 1994 Tigers championship team honored

A massive fifth inning propelled the Cape Central Tigers to a season opening 9-2 win over the Sikeston Bulldogs Friday, March 15.

Prior to the contest, Cape Central honored the 1994 State Championship baseball team.

“It’s amazing,” Steve Williams, head coach of the 1994 team said. “Some of these guys I haven’t seen in a really long time. I’ve been gone for 10 years, so to be able to come back with this group we have that was so special is really an awesome thing.”

Robert Kern, a player on the 1994 team, mentioned how special it is that Justin Lieser and his program found a way to recognize them.

“It’s really awesome,” Kern said. “Cape is really special to me because it is such a baseball town. Cape really changed my life, and I’ll always have a special place in my heart for it.”

Following his club’s 9-2 win, Lieser said honoring the team was important to not only recognize the history but to show his current team the culture and history of the program.

“Yeah that was 30 years ago, but there’s no reason we can’t continue to grow and build on that phenomenal culture,” Lieser said. “All the way from the weight room to the classroom.”

After the joyous celebration, it was the Bulldogs going to work in the top of the first as Conner Michael singled home a run to make it 1-0.

The lead would stay at 1-0 until the top of the third when a miscue defensively allowed a second Sikeston run to score.

In the bottom half of the third, the Tigers managed to manufacture a run of their own to cut the lead in half, making it 2-1.

Getting the opening day start for the Tigers was sophomore standout Jathan Spain, who tossed 4.1 innings without allowing an earned run while striking out seven.

“Even Jathan would tell you that he didn’t have his best stuff,” Lieser said. “But, he’s looked amazing all spring, and it was the first game of the season.”

With Spain departing, the Tigers turned the ball over to Jackson Witvoet, who tossed 2.2 scoreless innings to pick up the win in the season opener.

“Jackson came in and looked phenomenal,” Lieser said.

As Sikeston was clinging to a 2-1 lead, the Tigers managed to tie the game at 2 with 2-outs in the bottom of the fifth before reeling off 6 more runs to take a commanding 8-2 lead.

The game was won, however, courtesy of a 2-run single by Hayden Bowers that gave the Tigers a 4-2 lead.

“He just worked hard,” Lieser said of the at bat. “He’s a grinder, and he’s a tough kid.”

Cape Central added another run late to make it 9-2, a score that would hold up as the final.

Sikeston (0-1) returns to the diamond for a pair of games on Saturday, March 16, when the Bulldogs host De Smet Jesuit and Greenville at Sikeston High School.

Cape Central (1-0) will travel to Sikeston tomorrow as well as the Tigers will battle De Smet Jesuit at 10 a.m. Saturday.