League win adds to Cape skid, boosts Dunklin Co.

With most of the key players gone from last year's American Legion baseball team that won district and zone titles, Dunklin County expected to struggle some this season.

That's been the case, but the squad showed Thursday that it might be down, but definitely not out.

Dunklin County knocked off host Cape Girardeau Ford & Sons 7-6 at Capaha Field in the final District 14 game of the regular season.

While Ford & Sons (22-14, 8-2) already secured the top seed for next week's District 14 Tournament in Chaffee, Dunklin County (13-17, 6-4) needed a win to clinch the No. 2 seed and join Cape in earning an important first-round bye.

"This is a huge win for us," Dunklin County manager Chris Sledge said. "It should give us a lot of confidence for the district tournament."

Dunklin County has had quite a six-year run by winning five district titles and ranking as one of the premier teams in the state. But Sledge knew the going could get tough this season.

"We definitely knew it would be a rebuilding year," Sledge said. "We don't have a lot of experience and two of our top three pitchers got hurt early in the year and have been out ever since."

While Dunklin County was celebrating a big win Thursday, Cape was saddled with its third straight loss following a hot streak that saw the squad win 19 of 23 games. Ford & Sons has committed 13 errors in the three most recent defeats, which have come on consecutive days.

"We're playing very shabby right now. We're just not catching balls," Cape manager Tom Reinagel said. "We're back to where we were when we were 3-7 to start the season."

Reinagel noted several players are performing out of position because some key players have missed time for various reasons, primarily injuries.

"That's showing with the defense," Reinagel said.

Four errors Thursday helped Dunklin County score four unearned runs, including two in the top of the eighth inning without the benefit of a hit as the visitors snapped a 5-5 tie.

Trailing 7-5 entering its last chance in the bottom of the ninth, Cape threatened by loading the bases with one out on singles by Seth Hudson, Tyler Schlosser and Patrick Slattery.

Matt Wulfers drove in a run with a ground out and a walk to Blake Urhahn again loaded the bases. But the rally ended there.

Ford & Sons had 11 hits compared to just seven for Dunklin County. Hudson, Schlosser, Slattery, Wulfers and Lee Essner all had two hits. Wulfers drove in three runs, and Chris Conrad had two RBIs.

Dylan Gurley had two hits and three RBIs for Dunklin County. Justin Bishop added two hits.

Wayne Essner took the loss despite pitching nine mostly solid innings. He struck out 12 and walked five.

Stephen Riggs was the winner after allowing all of Cape's hits and runs in 8 1/3 innings. He fanned one and walked two. Jerrod Duffel recorded the final two outs for a save.

"They had a lot more to play for, and they played a good game," Reinagel said.

Cape has three more regular-season games, all on the road. Ford & Sons visits Perryville today for a 6 p.m. doubleheader and Imperial Saturday for a 2 p.m. single contest.

mmishow@semissourian.com

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