Dooley allows one unearned run over seven innings

~ Scott County wrapped up the tournament top seed with the victory.

The Scott County American Legion baseball team emphatically locked up the top seed for next week's district tournament.

Post 369 turned Wednesday night's showdown with host Cape Girardeau Ford & Sons into a rout, rolling to a 10-1 win in the first game of a doubleheader.

Scott County also captured the non-district nightcap 10-9 as Post 369 has won 15 of its last 16 games.

"We're on a roll and hopefully it will roll a little longer," Scott County coach Denver Stuckey said.

Cape Legion shortstop Blake Slattery threw out a Scott County baserunner during the first game.

Post 369, which is 26-9 overall, finished District 14 play 7-1. The five-team district tournament, hosted by Ford & Sons, begins Monday at Capaha Field.

"It feels good to be playing well, but next week everybody starts over," Stuckey said.

Scott County's hot streak began July 3 with a 9-3 home district victory over Cape.

Post 369 showed it was no fluke with Wednesday's district romp. Cape (28-15, 6-2) will be the No. 2 seed for the district tournament.

"They have an outstanding team," Cape coach Dave Meyr said. "My hat's off to them."

Scott County starting pitcher Steven Dooley delivered during the first game Wednesday.

Steven Dooley posted both district wins over Cape, but the right-hander was much more dominant this time around.

In the earlier meeting, Dooley went just five innings as he was primarily hurt by seven walks. He allowed three runs and four hits.

Dooley breezed through Cape's lineup Wednesday, allowing three hits and an unearned run over the seven-inning affair. He struck out eight and walked three.

"He threw great," Stuckey said. "He was in Florida for a week on vacation. He was tanned, rested and ready to go tonight."

Dooley spent last week in Jupiter, Fla., on a family outing, and returned Monday.

Cape Legion coach Dale Smith kept score during the first game Wednesday.

"I was ready," Dooley said. "Cape's a good team, but I was pretty pleased with the way I threw."

The lone run Dooley allowed came in the first inning, when he issued two of his walks. Cape also had a single and scored when that hit was misplayed in the outfield.

But by the time Ford & Sons came to bat, Scott County had already plated three runs in the top of the first inning as Post 369 continued an offensive tear that has lasted for more than two weeks.

"We're hitting wonderful. We're strong all the way through the lineup," Dooley said. "It's nice to get all those runs."

Cape ace Brad LaBruyere was treated rudely by Scott County for the second time this season, although Ford & Sons did not help out its hurler with three errors.

Cape baserunner Blake Slattery beat the pickoff throw to Scott County first baseman Chris Asmus during the first game Wednesday at Capaha Field.

LaBruyere also went the distance. He allowed 10 hits and six earned runs. He struck out 11 and walked three.

"He's a great pitcher and he didn't pitch as bad as the score showed," Stuckey said. "But we're really hitting the ball. We're hitting up and down the lineup."

Blake Dirnberger led Scott County with three hits, including a double.

Chris Asmus tripled, singled and drove in two runs. Caleb Daughhetee also had two hits, while Caleb Seyer tripled.

Scott County also excelled defensively after making its only error in the opening inning.

Scott County's Chris Asmus beat the ball to third base for a triple during the first game Wednesday at Capaha Park. (Kit Doyle)

Dirnberger made two impressive running catches in center field as he covered plenty of ground in tracking down balls near the 400-foot sign.

Daughhetee also made a pair of solid plays at third base.

"We're just playing good ball all around," Stuckey said. "When you have momentum going, it's hard to stop."

Ahead 3-1 after one inning, Scott County made it 5-1 in the third and broke things wide open with a five-run sixth.

"They have a bunch of good hitters and Dooley threw an excellent game," Meyr said.

In the nightcap, Scott County built a 10-3 lead and held on as Cape stranded the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh.

Alex Chasteen went the distance on the mound for the victory. Daughhetee had three hits, while Blake Slattery had two hits for Cape.