CAPE LEGION TEAM SPLITS ANOTHER DOUBLEHEADER

Cape Girardeau's Ford & Sons American Legion baseball team split a doubleheader for the third straight time Wednesday night.

The River Region Mudcats from Ballard County, Ky., posted an 8-4 victory in the opener, but Cape came back to earn a 5-1 triumph in the nightcap. The second game was a five-inning contest.

Ford & Sons is now 16-12 on the season after the non-district twin bill at Capaha Field. The Mudcats are 19-10.

"They've got a pretty solid team," said Cape manager Ron Michel of the Mudcats. "After losing the first game, it's good to come back and get the split. It seems like we've been doing a lot of that lately."

Cape primarily had Jay Pierce to thank for the split. The right-handed pitcher allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out seven in going the five-inning distance.

"Jay really pitched a good game," said Michel. "He came through for us."

Josh McIntosh and Tommy Wencewicz each had two of Cape's six second-game hits, and McIntosh drove in three runs. Wencewicz stole three bases as Ford & Sons ran wild with eight steals.

The only mistake Pierce made was allowing a home run by River Region standout Kyle Maddux. That solo shot to left came in the fourth inning, after Cape had built an early 4-0 lead.

Maddux also made his mark in the opener in helping the Mudcats prevail. He tripled, doubled and singled while driving in three runs.

"That guy is a heck of a hitter," Michel said. "He's got some strong wrists."

Cape actually out-hit River Region 9-8 in the first game, but four early errors by Ford & Sons helped the Mudcats get off to a strong start.

"We didn't play real well to start the game," said Michel.

The offensive highlight of the opener for Cape was a home run to right by Justin Welker in the third inning. Welker had two hits, as did McIntosh, Daniel Turner and T.J. Erlacker. Erlacker added two RBIs.

Matt Jones was the losing hurler. He allowed eight runs (six earned) and eight hits while fanning four and walking three in six innings. Welker pitched a perfect seventh.

River Region starter Tyler Pittman gave up six hits and three runs in three innings, but winning hurler Josh Pigg was exceptional in relief. Pigg worked the final four frames, allowing three hits and one run while fanning six and walking none.

Cape will return to action Friday with two games in the Ballwin Tournament. Ford & Sons will play Creve Coeur at 6 p.m. and Manchester at 9 p.m.

Ford & Sons will have two more tourney games Saturday, against Evansville, Ind., at noon and Ballwin at 6 p.m.