Ford & Sons stays hot with 11-10 win

Two Imperial errors allow Cape to score winning run in bottom of the ninth.

By Marty Mishow ~ Southeast Missourian

Cape Girardeau's Ford & Sons American Legion baseball team has been finding plenty of ways to win games during its current hot streak.

Monday night might have featured the most unusual way of all.

Chris Conrad scored from second base thanks to a pair of errors on the same play in the bottom of the ninth inning as Cape captured a wild 11-10 victory from visiting Imperial.

Ford & Sons improved its record to 14-8 with the non-district victory. Cape has won seven straight games and 11 of its past 12. Imperial fell to 14-7.

"When things are going good, these are the kinds of games you win," Cape manager Tom Reinagel said.

The back-and-forth contest at Capaha Field featured seven lead changes, three ties, 29 hits -- including two triples and nine doubles -- and eight errors.

After Imperial scored three unearned runs in the top of the ninth inning to pull into a 10-10 tie, Ford & Sons quickly ended things in the bottom of the frame.

Conrad led off with a single and Tyler Schlosser -- who went 5-for-5 -- singled to left. Conrad had stopped at second base when Imperial's left fielder booted the ball for an error as Conrad hustled to third. When the ensuing throw from the left fielder got away and rolled near Cape's dugout, Conrad scored easily.

"I was thinking hold up at second until they dropped the ball," Conrad said. "I got a good jump and made it to third. Then the ball got away and I saw nobody was covering home so I went.

"It was good to come back after they tied it. We held our composure pretty good."

Schlosser had four singles, a double and was hit by a pitch as he reached base in all six plate appearances. He had four hits and drove in five runs during Sunday's District 14 win at Dunklin County and added two hits in Saturday's district win at Chaffee.

"I'm seeing the ball like a watermelon," Schlosser said. "This was my best night and I knew we were going to come back and win."

Seth Hudson, who also had four hits Sunday, added two more Monday and he drew three walks while scoring three runs.

Conrad added two hits, as did Blake Urhahn, who tripled and drove in two runs.

Cape finished with 15 hits and committed four errors. Imperial had 14 hits and also made four errors. Richie Brownfield led the visitors with a triple and two doubles.

Hudson was the winner in relief, even though he allowed the three unearned runs in the ninth as Imperial used three hits around a key error to tie things. Hudson, who got out of a big jam in the eighth, worked 1 2/3 innings.

Ford & Sons starter Lee Essner gave up six runs and nine hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out five and walked five. Wayne Essner was solid in relief, allowing two hits and an unearned run in two innings.

Cape returns to action Wednesday when Jackson visits Capaha Field for a key district game. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.