CAPE LEGION HURLS TWO SHUTOUTS

Cape Girardeau's up-and-down Ford & Sons American Legion baseball team was back up Monday night -- thanks in large part to a pair of standout pitching performances.

Justin Cook and Joe Hamilton each hurled complete-game shutouts as Cape, which has been plagued by inconsistency for most of the season, knocked off Jackson 8-0 and 7-0 in a District 14 doubleheader at Capaha Field.

Ford & Sons once again climbed back to the .500 mark overall at 18-18 and Cape improved to 10-9 in District 14 play.

"We kind of got back on track tonight," said Cape manager Ron Michel. "We got two well-pitched games."

Cook hurled a four-hitter in the opener, striking out three and walking just one.

Then it was Hamilton's turn to twirl a four-hitter in the nightcap as he fanned eight and walked only one.

"Justin has pitched solid for us all year," said Michel. "And every time we've put Joe out there, he's done well.

"They key for both of them tonight was that they just didn't walk people. When you do that, you can be successful. Giving up eight hits in a doubleheader, that's nothing."

Cape had 21 hits in the two games, including 14 in the opener.

Matt Bollinger led the way with four hits, two in each game. He doubled twice.

Tommy Wencewicz had three hits and drove in three runs in the opener. Garrett Broshuis and Mark Fisher both had three hits on the night while Nathan Essner and Wes Steele added two each.

Dustin Hicks and D.A. Slinkard had two hits apiece for Jackson, both getting one in each game.

The opener was actually highly competitive as Jackson trailed just 1-0 after five innings behind the hurling of Jason Vandeven.

Jackson then had a golden opportunity to tie the contest in the top of the sixth but Broshuis went deep in the hole at shortstop and threw out Jeremy McCain on a bang-bang play to keep the tying run from scoring.

Cape then exploded for seven insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth.

The nightcap was never close as Cape jumped on Jackson starter Danny Lincoln for four runs in the opening inning, the big blow being a booming two-run double by Josh McIntosh.

"We played decent the first game until the sixth inning," said Jackson manager Barry Stafford, whose squad fell to 5-18 overall and 3-12 in district play.

Ford & Sons plays at Paducah (Ky.) tonight, then returns home Wednesday for a 6 p.m. district doubleheader with Chaffee. The first contest of that twin bill will also serve as the championship game of the Capaha Classic Tournament that was rained out last month.