Dunklin County enters district as big favorite

Dunklin County appears poised to reclaim its spot as the king of District 14 American Legion baseball -- but Jamie Johnson is not about to chalk up another title just yet.

Johnson, Dunklin County's manager, has plenty of respect for the other five teams entered in the District 14 Tournament that begins today in Sikeston.

"I think anybody can win it," Johnson said. "It's just a matter of who gets hot this week."

Johnson's squad has been the hottest of all this summer, going 31-5 overall and rolling through the district with a 12-0 record that makes it the No. 1 seed and solid favorite for this week's tournament.

"I feel good about the way we've played, but what does it matter unless you play well in the tournament," Johnson said.

Dunklin County generally plays well in the district tournament. The team won five straight district titles before Chaffee broke that string last year on its way to a state championship.

"Chaffee had a great team last year," Johnson said. "It was their year and you had to tip your hat to them."

Although Chaffee (11-17, 4-8 district) has been somewhat pesky this season, the team returned no players from last year and, as the No. 5 seed, is a definite longshot this time around.

Top contenders behind Dunklin County appear to be No. 2 seed Sikeston (17-7, 9-3) and No. 3 Cape Girardeau Ford & Sons (20-14, 9-3), which enters the tournament with a five-game winning streak. Sikeston was seeded ahead of Cape based on run differential in head-to-head meetings after the squads split their two district games.

"Dunklin County has got to be the favorite. They've got the most pitching and they've had a tremendous season," Cape manager Tom Reinagel said. "But I think we have an honest chance. I think we can play with Dunklin County and I know we can play with Sikeston."

Jackson (18-16, 6-6) is the No. 4 seed as it has fielded one of its better teams since reviving its American Legion program in 1997.

"We've played pretty well at times," Jackson coach Mark Lewis said. "I think this is one of the better districts in the state. Whoever wins it will have a really good team."

Stoddard County (2-12, 1-11) has continued to struggle in its third season of American Legion play. Another district member, Charleston, fielded a team this year but dropped out of the tournament because of a lack of players.

As the top two seeds, Dunklin County and Sikeston received first-round byes. Today's opening-round schedule has Jackson playing Chaffee at 5 p.m. and Cape facing Stoddard County at 8 p.m.

The championship round of the double-elimination event is set for Saturday.

"I look for a good tournament," Reinagel said. "Dunklin County has an excellent team, Sikeston is very good, we've had a solid year, Jackson has really improved, Chaffee can be dangerous and we're not about to overlook Stoddard County. On a given day, they can beat you."

The district winner earns a berth in next week's zone tournament in Cape Girardeau. As zone host, Ford & Sons is automatically entered in the tournament, so if it wins the district, the runner-up would also qualify for zone play.

DISTRICT 14 TOURNEYat VFW Stadium, Sikeston

Monday

Game 1: Jackson vs. Chaffee, 5 p.m.

Game 2: Cape Girardeau vs. Stoddard County, 8 p.m.

Tuesday

Game 3: Dunklin County vs. Game 1 winner, 5 p.m.

Game 4: Sikeston vs. Game 2 winner, 8 p.m.

Wednesday

Game 5: Game 2 loser vs. Game 3 loser, 5 p.m.

Game 6: Game 1 loser vs. Game 4 loser, 8 p.m.

Thursday

Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 5 p.m.

Game 8: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 8 p.m.

Friday

Game 9 -- Game 7 loser vs. Game 8 winner, 6:30 p.m.Saturday

(Championship)

Game 10 -- Game 7 winner vs. Game 9 winner, 1 p.m.

Game 11 -- If necessary, 30 minutes after Game 10