FORD & SONS DROPS OPENER TO SIKESTON

Cape Girardeau's Ford & Sons American Legion baseball team knew it was opening its season Wednesday night with something of a short deck.

Several of the squad's top players were not available because of the 1A and 2A state tournaments being held in Columbia.

So it was perhaps not very surprising that Ford & Sons dropped a District 14 doubleheader to visiting Sikeston, losing 9-4 and 7-6 at Capaha Field.

Still, Cape manager Ron Michel was upbeat about the way his team battled, particularly in the nightcap. Ford & Sons almost rallied from an early 7-2 deficit and had a real chance to win the game in the bottom of the seventh inning before stranding runners on second and third with one out.

"We hung in there," said Michel. "We were a little shorthanded tonight, but the guys played hard. We made too many mistakes but we'll be all right."

T.J. Abernathy handcuffed Cape in the opener, allowing just three hits while striking out nine and walking four.

Abernathy also led Sikeston's 11-hit attack by going 4-for-4 with two doubles.

Justin Cook went the distance and suffered the loss. He allowed six earned runs.

Chris Robinson got the win in the nightcap, allowing all six runs (three earned) and seven hits in five innings.

Chris Hood turned in stellar relief work, allowing one hit while fanning three in two scoreless innings.

Steve Fowler went the distance in being tagged with the loss. He allowed 10 hits and four earned runs while fanning eight.

Billy Puckett led Sikeston with three hits. Fowler and Josh McIntosh paced Cape with two hits apiece. McIntosh drove in three runs.

Cape is right back in action tonight, visiting Jackson for a 6 p.m. District 14 doubleheader.