CAPE LEGION SHAKES OFF SLOW START AGAINST BLUFF

The beginning of Wednesday night's American Legion baseball doubleheader between Cape Girardeau Ford & Sons and visiting Poplar Bluff did not go well for the home squad as Bluff put up four first-inning runs and added two more in the second to go up 6-2.

But that was about the extent of the bad news for Cape, which rallied for a 12-7 victory in the opener and then exploded for 20 runs over the first two innings of the nightcap. Ford & Sons led that contest 20-7 in the bottom of the fourth inning as the Southeast Missourian went to press.

With the first-game victory, Cape improved to 13-11 overall and 10-5 in District 14 play as Ford & Sons continued its recent solid play. Poplar Bluff fell to 15-7 overall and 6-5 in the district.

Rob Carr was the pitching story of the opener for Cape. He replaced starter Mark Wittenborn, who had allowed six runs and five hits in just 1 1/3 innings. Carr went on to hurl the rest of the way, allowing just one run and six hits in 5 1/3 innings as he notched the win. He struck out five and walked one.

"Rob came in and did a great job," said Cape manager Tom Reinagel. "He helped keep us in the game."

Cape had 11 hits, two each by Zac Fidler, Dusty Barrows and Travis Wissman. Barrows drove in three runs.

Trailing 6-3, Cape took the lead for good with a six-run fourth that featured four hits and a key Poplar Bluff error. Barrows had the frame's big blow, a two-run double.

Poplar Bluff also had 11 hits, led by Jamie McAlister with three, including two doubles. Tyler Henson and Nathan Kinnard added two apiece.

Kurt Humphrey suffered the loss. In 3 2/3 innings, he allowed nine runs (six earned) and nine hits.

In the nightcap, Ford & Sons put up nine runs on five hits in the first inning, then exploded for 11 runs on eight hits -- including two home runs -- in the second.

Shane Kistner had two doubles and four RBIs in the opening frame. Then in the second, Justin Welker belted a grand slam and Timmy Wencewicz followed with a solo homer. Fidler delivered a two-run triple while Wencewicz had an RBI triple. Welker and Wissman added doubles.