Cape, Jackson split pair

~ Post 63 managed to overcome a big hole early in the opener.

Things weren't looking good for the Cape Girardeau Ford & Sons Post 63 American Legion baseball team in the early going Tuesday night.

Nine unanswered runs took care of that.

Cape rallied from an early 5-1 deficit to beat host Jackson 10-7 in the first game of a District 14 doubleheader at Legion Field.

Jackson rebounded with a 10-0, five-inning victory in the nightcap to hand Cape its first district loss.

Post 63's Levi Felter pitches against Jackson during Tuesday's first game. (Kit Doyle)

Only the openers of District 14 doubleheaders usually count as district games. But because Ford & Sons and Jackson were rained out of their earlier meeting scheduled for Cape Girardeau, the squads used both of Tuesday's games as district contests.

Cape is 18-10 overall and 4-1 in district play, while Jackson is 15-7 and 3-2.

"It was a nice comeback for us," Cape coach Todd Pennington said following the opener. "It took a few innings for us to get going, but then we really hit the ball well."

Ford & Sons was limited to three hits and one earned run through the first four innings by Jackson starter Chad Scroggins.

Cape finally broke loose in the fifth after trailing 5-1 after two innings and 5-2 after four innings.

Ford & Sons knocked out Scroggins with a five-run outburst that featured six hits, including a triple and two doubles. Four of the runs scored with two outs.

Ethan Lee's two-run single put Cape on top for good 6-5.

"We got a lot of big hits that inning," Pennington said.

Jackson coach Mark Lewis thought Scroggins got tired.

"I think he ran out of gas," Lewis said. "And we didn't make a few plays for him that kind of hurt us."

Cape added three more runs -- only one was earned -- on three hits in the sixth for a 10-5 lead and then held on.

Lewis lamented missed opportunities that could have led to an even bigger early lead.

Jackson stranded six runners over the first three innings and wound up leaving 12 on base in the contest.

"You have to cash in offensively against a good ballclub," Lewis said. "The first three, four innings, we didn't come up with the big hit."

Each team finished with 12 hits and Jackson had both of the game's home runs, but each was a solo shot. Cape left only five runners stranded.

Ryan Grigaitis went 3-for-4 with two doubles to lead Cape. Josh Henson doubled twice and drove in three runs.

Scroggins and Melvin Johnson homered for Jackson. Scroggins also doubled.

Cape starter Levi Felter struggled but still picked up the victory. He allowed five runs -- all in the first two innings -- and nine hits in four innings.

Cobb, who has been strong in relief all season, continued that trend. He allowed one hit and an unearned run while striking out three and walking two in two innings.

"He comes in and throws strikes. He gets after them," Pennington said.

Josh Compas pitched the final inning, giving up two hits -- including Johnson's homer -- but escaping further damage.

Jackson bounced back in a big way as Caleb Hosey fired a three-hit shutout in the nightcap. He struck out six and walked one.

"He pitched well," Lewis said. "He had good command and had a little zip on the ball."

Johnson hit another home run for Jackson, while Chris Kirkpatrick ended the contest early with a leadoff homer in the fifth inning that made it 10-0.

Jackson had 12 second-game hits, led by Mike Mouser with three.

"It was good to see the kids bounce back like that after a tough first game, because sometimes that can linger with you," Lewis said.

Adam Kelley took the loss.