Cape hosts Freshmen Legion tourney

Editor's note: The following story has been edited to correct the name of Dalton Hovis.

Three area freshmen American Legion baseball teams will converge on Capaha Field beginning today, each vying for one spot in next week's state tournament in Branson.

The Jackson Post 158 freshmen and eighth grade teams will join the Cape Post 63 freshmen squad in the District 14 double-elimination tournament beginning today at 1:30 p.m. The tournament will conclude Tuesday at 4 p.m., or Wednesday at 3 p.m. if necessary. All games will be played at Capaha Field.

Cape Post 63 comes into the tournament as the No. 2 seed with an 11-10 record. It defeated the Cape Junior Legion squad 9-6 last week and is well-rested heading into today's game. Post 63 will take on the tourney's third seed, the Jackson eighth grade Legion team, at 1:30 p.m.

"We've been playing well as of late and we're excited about playing in the tournament," said Post 63 coach Jeremy Smith.

Smith said Post 63's top four hitters all are averaging over .340, led by Brock Baugher's .404 average. Trevor Haas checks in at .375 and Sean Plott is at .360. Jacquen Cummings has been productive in the three slot all season for Post 63.

Haas is also one of Post 63's top pitchers, along with Blake Klett (Jonesboro, Ill.) and Luke Wilson (Central).

"We've had pitchers that have grown this summer and gotten better," Smith said. "We feel pretty good about our pitching heading into the tournament."

The Jackson Post 158 freshmen team has relied on hitting most of the season, which has led to a 21-6-1 record.

Austin Bucher leads Post 158 with a .422 average, while Ryan Mize is hitting .378 with one home run and a team-leading 18 RBIs.

"Hitting is one of our stronger points," Post 158 coach Josh Adams said. "Out pitching is down this year. But definitely our sticks have helped us out a lot this year."

Devon Blankenship, Seth Bollinger and Triston Thele are the top pitchers for Post 158.

The Jackson 8th grade team has been playing older opponents all season, and coach Levi Petzoldt sees no reason his squad can't compete with the Cape or Jackson freshmen teams.

"We haven't had as many practices as I'd like to, but it's been a real good year," Petzoldt said.

His squad enters tournament play with a record of 17-7-2. Dalton Hovis, Colton Weber and Jarrett Hutchison have been the team's top pitchers, while Tyler Knight and Josh Neal have led Jackson at the plate.

"The games we've lost have been real close," Petzoldt said. "Hopefully we can get that one hit, that one out. I'm really looking forward to the tournament."