Cape team sits atop a tough district pack

For the first time in nearly a decade, Cape Girardeau's Ford & Sons Senior American Legion baseball team enters the District 14 Tournament as a solid favorite.

But manager Tom Reinagel knows not to overlook the other five squads in the double-elimination event that begins today at Harmon Field in Chaffee.

"I feel good about our chances. I think we have the best shot at it, but it won't be easy," Reinagel said. "There are no weak teams in the tournament. Everybody is dangerous."

Cape will shoot for its first district title since 1995 when a squad managed by John "Doc" Yallaly finished second in the state after capturing the state crown the previous year.

This season, Ford & Sons (22-14) was the district's dominant team during the regular season and went 8-2 against district opponents. No other squad lost fewer than four district games. But Cape struggled late in the campaign and lost its final three games last week.

"We kind of hit a slump, but I think we can get it back," Reinagel said. "We've had a pretty good year so far and we want to keep it going."

Defending champion and second-seeded Dunklin County (13-17, 6-4) is down this year, but the tradition-rich squad has captured five of the past six district titles and cannot be taken lightly.

"We knew this would be a rebuilding year, but we're confident we can play with anybody," Dunklin County manager Chris Sledge said.

Third-seeded Chaffee (18-12, 5-5), No. 4 Sikeston (13-8, 4-6), No. 5 Poplar Bluff (13-13, 4-6) and No. 6 Jackson (24-17, 3-7) all have had strong moments.

"There are no weak teams," said Chaffee manager Mitch Wood, whose squad has won five of its last six games. "We're playing a lot better."

Said Jackson manager Mark Lewis, "We haven't been able to put it together for a long period of time. We've played lights out some and not very good some. But if we play well, you never know what might happen."

Lewis emphasized that Cape -- whose district losses were to Dunklin County and Sikeston -- deserves the favorite's role.

"Cape has played well in the district games, there's no doubt about it," he said. "They've played well consistently throughout the year, and a lot of teams in the district haven't been able to be consistent. They're the team to beat right now."

There will be two first-round games today, with Sikeston playing Poplar Bluff at 5 p.m. and Chaffee meeting Jackson at 8 p.m.

On Tuesday, Cape plays the Sikeston-Poplar Bluff winner at 5 p.m. and Dunklin County takes on the Chaffee-Jackson winner at 8 p.m.

Two more games are scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The championship contest is set for 8 p.m. Friday. An if-necessary title game would be played Saturday.

mmishow@semissourian.com

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