Jackson wins title; Cape advances

Ford & Sons moved on to Jackson's zone tourney on the strength of a forfeit.

SENATH, Mo. -- The Jackson American Legion team continued its recent tear, picking up its 15th straight victory on Saturday night to claim its first District 14 title.

With help from some unusual circumstances, though, the news was good for both Cape Girardeau Ford & Sons and Jackson.

Cape, which was scheduled to play Sikeston in the losers bracket for a spot in the district final, won by forfeit when Sikeston showed up with 11 players, less than the mandatory 12 players necessary to start a game. Since Jackson already had secured a berth as the zone tournament host, the forfeit gave a berth to Cape as well.

Jackson (28-12) defeated Ford & Sons 7-1 in the final to improve to 4-0 in the district tournament and wrap up the title.

"I feel great about it," Jackson coach Mark Lewis said. "We've been playing well."

Tyrone Reece held Cape's hitters in check for seven innings to pick up the win. Reece allowed four hits, one run and struck out three.

Lewis said this was Reece's best pitching performance of the summer.

"It was a big game, and he pitched his butt off," Lewis said.

Austin Morrison pitched two hitless innings of relief to sew up the win.

Brandon Cooper, Zach Brazer and Tyler Beussink had two hits apiece for Jackson. Chad Minson drove in three runs with a two-out hit in the seventh to give Jackson a 4-0 lead.

Kirk Boeller took the loss for Cape (20-23), despite allowing four unearned runs in seven innings.

"We're happy to get in [to zone]," Cape coach Dave Meyr said. "We're all excited."

The five-team, double-elimination zone tournament is scheduled to begin Thursday.