Cape Legion loses opener to Batesville in Arkansas tournament

The Cape Girardeau Ford & Sons baseball team lost its opening game Thursday at the Jonesboro Riceland Ricemen Classic American Legion tournament.

Cape Girardeau fell 5-1 to Batesville, Ark., in pool play.

Cape plays at 3:30 p.m. today against Dunklin County. Its final pool play game in the 16-team, four-pool tournament is Saturday against Sheridan, Ark.

Ford & Sons (3-7) had just four hits in the loss Thursday. Kendal Deason had one of those hits and drove in the team's only run.

Jason Umfleet pitched the first 1 1/3 innings before being relieved by Michael Taylor, who took the loss without giving up an earned run in 5 2/3 innings.

Umfleet allowed one run and struck out three. He also walked three and hit one batsman. Taylor allowed four unearned runs on five hits, a walk and three hit batsmen. He struck out two.

Cape committed an error in the fourth that led to three unearned runs. Another unearned run scored in the seventh.

Cape Legion juniors sweep Dunklin CountyThe Cape Girardeau American Legion Kelso Supply junior team swept Dunklin County 6-3 and 6-0 on Thursday night.

Lance Young struck out 11 batters over seven innings in the opening game for Cape. Luke Moll and Brad LaBruyere each had two hits.

Jacob Wengert had three hits for Cape in a four-inning victory in the nightcap. Anthony Wulfers and Scott Dunaway each pitched two innings in the shutout.

Jackson Babe Ruth senior team wins two

The Jackson Babe Ruth senior team opened its season with two wins on Wednesday night against Charleston.

Jackson won by scores of 10-0 and 7-4.

In the opener, Austin McDowell pitched the five-inning shutout, allowing two hits and striking out four.

Tyler Beussink picked up the win in the nightcap, allowing five hits and four runs -- none earned -- in seven innings. He struck out 12.

Derrick Biri was 2-for-3 in each game and had six stolen bases on the night. Billy Uren drove in four runs in the two games.-- From staff reports