CENTRAL SEEDED FIRST IN WIDE-OPEN 4A DISTRICT

If you're looking for a wide open district baseball tournament, the five-team Class 4A, District 1 meet starting Tuesday at Cape Girardeau Central High should do the trick.

Central earned the No. 1 seed in the tournament but No. 2 Sikeston, No. 3 Farmington, No. 4 Jackson and even No. 5 Poplar Bluff have a shot at the title.

"It's pretty even," said Central coach Steve Williams. "Whoever happens to be playing well this week could win it.

Central (12-11) went through a frustrating up-and-down season but the Tigers certainly have the talent to win their second consecutive district title.

Shane Gibson (.333) and Tatum Kitchen (.350) lead the Tigers offense with five home runs each. Other Tigers batting over .300 are Ross Bennett (.386), Shane Gibson (385), Jeff Beasley (.326), and Greg Craft (.327).

Lefthander Craig Ringwald (3-4) leads the pitching staff with a 1.62 earned-run average. Michael Minner (3-1, 2.84 ERA) and Kitchen (3-4, 4.74 ERA) are also tough on the mound.

"If we continue to play well, like we have our last couple games, we've got as good a shot as anybody to win it," said Williams.

Sikeston (12-7) has also played well of late, including a second-place finish in the Big 8 Tournament held recently in Cape.

The Self brothers -- Jared and Brent -- are key members for the Bulldogs. Clay Hooper and freshman Ronnie Childers will also be players to watch.

Farmington (11-8) recently bombed Jackson (12-10). The Indians, after a third place finish in the Big 8 have, lost their last three games. Christopher Leimer, Justin Gladish and Josh Adams are players to watch for Jackson.

Jackson will open the tournament at Tiger Field Tuesday against Poplar Bluff (4-12). The winner advances to play Central Wednesday. The championship game will be played Thursday at 4 p.m.

Class 1A, District 2 Tournament

Oran is the No. 1 seed and host of its district, which the Eagles look to be heavy favorites.

Oran put together a 16-1 regular-season record and last weekend beat No. 2 seed Valle of Ste. Genevieve by 10 runs.

Other teams in the tourney, which begins today, are No. 3 Bell City, No. 4 Oak Ridge (11-6), No. 5 Advance, No. 6 Delta and No. 7 Scott County Central.

The championship game will be Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

Class 3A, District 3 Tournament

Perryville, 14-11, earned the No. 2 seed and a bye to the second round of its district tourney in Festus.

Windsor (16-3) earned the No. 1 seed. Perryville will play its first game Tuesday at 5 p.m., against the winner of No. 3 Ste Genevieve and No. 6 St. Pius.

Matt Meyr, batting .470 with eight home runs, leads the Pirates attack.

The championship game is scheduled for Wednesday at 4 p.m.