Ford & Sons nets first wins in sweep

Cape Girardeau's Ford & Sons American Legion baseball team parlayed a tight victory and a romp into a successful home opening doubleheader Monday night.

Ford & Sons held off a late Oakville rally to prevail 7-6 in the opener, then used a six-run first inning as the springboard to a 9-3 win in the finale. The pair of triumphs at Capaha Field improved Cape to 2-1 heading into today's 6 p.m. District 14 opener at Jackson.

"We still have a lot of work to do, but it's a good way to start the home season," Cape manager Tom Reinagel said. "And it's a good way for us to go into our first district game."

Cape received a big performance from first-year Senior Legion player Patrick Slattery, who belted a home run and a double in the opener, then drilled a pair of doubles in the second game. Slattery drove in three runs in each contest and finished the night 4-for-6 at the plate.

Seth Hudson also sparkled for Cape offensively as he had three hits in the opener and finished with four hits, including a triple. Hudson drove in two runs.

Dustin Tatum had two hits and homered in the second game.

"Patrick hit the ball well all night, so did Seth, and Dustin really got into his home run," Reinagel said. "I think we're going to be pretty good offensively."

Blake Urhahn was the winning pitcher in the opener, allowing six runs (four earned) and seven hits in six-plus innings. He struck out five and walked six.

Jake Welch earned a well-deserved save as he came on with nobody out and the bases loaded in the top of the seventh inning. A two-run single by Oakville pulled the visitors to within 7-6 and they had the tying run at third base, but Welch got three straight outs to preserve the victory.

Lee Essner went all seven innings in the second game, allowing just four hits while striking out 10 and walking two.

"I was pleased with the pitching performances, for two guys who are pretty well untested for us coming into the season," Reinagel said. "Blake did a good job and Lee really threw well. And Jake did a good job in a tough situation."

After Oakville grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, Cape exploded with a six-run bottom of the first. The big blows were a two-run double by Slattery and a two-run triple by Wayne Essner.

Cape had eight hits in the first game and 11 hits in the second contest. Oakville had 12 hits on the night, including eight in the opener.

"All in all it was a pretty good night for us," Reinagel said. "I think after we continue to play more games, we're going to come together as a team."

Ford & Sons will send ace John Thies to the mound today for its district opener.