Ford & Sons suffers 6-5 setback to Dunklin Co.

Cape Girardeau's Ford & Sons American Legion team's struggles continued on Friday, when it dropped a 6-5 decision to Dunklin County at the Jonesboro, Ark., Riceland Ricemen Classic.

Ford & Sons fell to 3-8 with the loss and 0-2 in pool play. It will finish up tournament play today against Sheridan, Ark.

Playing against district foe Dunklin County, Ford & Sons left 11 runners on base. Dunklin jumped ahead with single runs in both the first and third innings, before Cape tied the score with two in the top of the fifth.

Dunklin County scored two in the bottom of the fifth to take a 4-2 lead. Ford & Sons scored three runs in the sixth only to allow two more in the bottom of the sixth to take the loss.

Patrick Slattery and Sean Bard led Cape's offense with three hits and an RBI apiece. Kent Deason added a pair of hits.

On the mound, Lee Essner took the loss after allowing two runs in an inning of work. Wayne Essner pitched the first five innings for Ford & Sons, allowing three earned runs on seven hits.

Cape Titans Babe Ruth senior team still unbeatenThe Cape Titans Babe Ruth senior squad improved to 4-0 with a doubleheader sweep of Charleston on Thursday.

The Titans won 14-1 and 7-6. Jeremy Brinkmeyer pitched all five innings in the opener for the win. Brinkmeyer allowed six hits, walked three and struck out two. Dane Balsmann led a six-hit atack with two hits.

In the second game Josh Mayberry picked up the win in relief. Mayberry pitched 2 2/3 innings, struck out six and allowed one run on three hits. Alex Ramsey and Adam Thomas had two hits apiece.

Kelso Klassic softball tournament beginsThe Kelso Connection lost its opening game in the Kelso Klassic men's fast-pitch softball tournament on Friday, falling 3-0 to Taylorville, Ill., Bob Ridings Ford.

Jeff Schott suffered the loss while allowing seven hits. Rich Younker limited Kelso to just two hits in pitching the shutout.

In another first-round game, the Belleville, Ill., Wolfpack defeated the Memphis Pomen 15-2. The Wolfpack scored eight runs in the seventh inning to seal the win.

Ron Ames struck out eight to get the victory.

Also Friday, Black Gold beat Kelso Fastpitch 2-0.

-- From staff reports