CAPE LEGION STAGES TWO LATE RALLIES TO SWEEP VAN BUREN

Cape Girardeau's Ford & Sons American Legion baseball team has lost its share of games so far this season.

But win or lose, Cape never fails to make things exciting.

Such was the case Friday night when Ford & Sons played host to Van Buren's Cougars in a doubleheader at Capaha Field.

Cape scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth of the opener to claim a 6-3 victory in the nine-inning contest that counts toward the District 14 standings.

Then in the seven-inning, non-district second game, Cape erupted for eight runs in the bottom of the seventh to pull out an amazing 12-8 triumph.

The sweep gives Cape a 13-8 overall record. Ford & Sons is 5-1 in District 14 play.

Van Buren fell to 6-12 overall, 0-4 in the district.

In just the past week, Cape has staged two major late rallies to win games and Ford & Sons has also had two big rallies fall just short in the late going.

"We're getting used to these comebacks now," said a smiling Cape manager Ron Michel. "We've had quite a few already, several to win games and several that almost won games.

"You just can't ever count this team out."

While only the first games of District 14 doubleheaders count toward the district standings this year, Michel certainly doesn't want his team to feel satisfied with simply winning that opener.

"If you don't sweep, it's like you haven't accomplished much," he said. "The first game is always important, but we want to try and win 'em all. Now, we know we won't, but we sure want to try. That's what it's all about."

The non-district nightcap actually held the most suspense of the two games.

Trailing 9-2 after five innings, Cape made it 9-4 entering its final chance in the bottom of the seventh.

Cape took advantage of four walks and an error and came up with three hits of its own to pull off the miracle comeback.

Steve Fowler's two-run double with two outs got Cape within 9-8. After Adam Bertrand and Justin McAlister walked to load the bases, Shane Gibson ended things with a monster grand slam to left field that traveled nearly 400 feet.

"I've never hit a ball that hard before, at least not fair," said a grinning Gibson. "I knew it was gone when I hit it. I just didn't know how far it would go.

"It's always good to win two. If you win the first and lose the second, it leaves a sour taste in your mouth."

Gibson's blast made a winner out of Matt Welker, Cape's third and only effective pitcher in the game. Welker worked the final 2 1/3 innings, allowing no runs and one hit.

Cape had seven hits, two by Gibson.

Van Buren had 10 hits, two apiece by Kevin Wood, Eric Smith, Corey Bowman and Camron Carter.

Cougars starting hurler Tommie Chilton was impressive, allowing three hits and one earned run in 5 1/3 innings. He did not figure into the decision.

In the opener, Carter belted a home run over the right-field fence in the eighth inning to tie the contest at 3-3.

But Cape came right back with three in the bottom of the eighth. Chris Bradshaw led off with a single, Greg Craft walked and Craig Ringwald drilled a two-run double to right. Bertrand later added a sacrifice fly.

Michael Minner got the win, scattering 12 hits and allowing three runs in eight innings. He struck out three and walked one. Todd Pennington finished up with a perfect ninth.

"Minner always gives you a maximum effort," Michel said. "We knew he was tired and when you have a guy like Pennington, you might as well use him."

Cape had 10 hits, two each by Bradshaw, Craft and Andy Sweet.

Smith and Chilton both had three of Van Buren's 12 hits.

Cougars hurler Mike Emerson was solid in working all eight innings. He fanned six and walked two.

Ford & Sons will visit Poplar Bluff Sunday in a 2 p.m. start.