Local sports digest 6/21/02

Capahas give up big lead early, fall on the road

The Cape Girardeau Craftsman Union Capahas (9-4) lost to the Southern Illinois Merchants 12-4 on Thursday.

The Merchants scored seven runs in the first inning and had a nine-to-nothing lead after two innings. Josh Eftink had a home run. Denver Stuckey went 2-for-4 and pitched the seventh and eight innings. Brody Morris suffered the loss.

Southeast track athlete picked for all-star team

Laura Van Hoevelaak, a member of the Southeast Missouri State University track team, has been picked for the Verizon Academic All-America Women's Cross Country and Track & Field Team.

Van Hoevelaak, a 400-meter hurdler and relay runner, was chosen for the second team and was one of 45 athletes on the top three teams. She graduated in May with a 4.0 cumulative grade point average while majoring in sports medicine.

Jackson Jr. Legion sweeps pair against Dunklin Co.

KENNETT, Mo. -- The Jackson Junior Legion scored nine runs in both ends of a doubleheader Wednesday, sweeping Dunklin County 9-7, 9-3.

Brandon Stearns, who pitched six innings, picked up the win in the opener while Ryan Watkins pitched the final inning for the save.

Tyler Profilet went 4-for-5 to lead a nine-hit attack for Jackson (10-7). Derrick Biri added two hits and three RBIs.

Watkins pitched six inning in notching the win in the second game. Jackson mustered just four hits with Neil Briner and Tony Longman getting two apiece. Briner's hits included a bases-loaded triple as he finished with five RBIs.

Siemons leads Missouri Amateur Championship

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Gerald Siemons of Jefferson City, the final seed in the field of 64 players, provided a major upset Thursday on the first day of match play at the Missouri Amateur Championships at Twin Oaks Country Club.

Siemons defeated the tournament's No. 1 seed Steve Groom of Raytown 3 and 1.

Defending champion Mark McBride of Columbia defeated David Johnson of St. Louis 2 and 1.

Mark Allen of Jackson, Mo., advanced to the round of 32 with a tight 1-up victory over Brian Sheehan of St. Albans, Mo. Allen, attempting to reach the round of 16 for the first time, will face Travis Mitchell of Springfield, Mo., this morning.

Mark McDowell of Cape Girardeau, making his second appearance, was eliminated after reaching match play for the first time. David Paulus of Parsons, Kan., defeated McDowell 2-up.

Ben Godwin of Poplar Bluff, Mo., survived his first-round match with a 2-and-1 victory over John Weston of Columbia.

Former Southeast Missouri State University golfer Bryan Johnson of Thayer, Mo., eased into the second round with a 6-and-5 win over Todd Kennedy of Springfield. Johnson reached the semifinals last year.

Dexter sweeps Babe Ruth Athletics in doubleheader

DEXTER -- Dexter swept the Cape Girardeau Senior Babe Ruth Athletics (6-10) in a doubleheader Wednesday.

Dexter squeezed by with a 2-1 victory in game one. Buddy Conrad took the loss despite pitching a complete game four hitter. Tony Leuckel went 2-for-3 with an RBI for the A's.

Dexter cruised in the second game 12-6. Zach Gowin lasted only 1 1/3 innings after giving up six runs on four hits.

The Athletics split a doubleheader Thursday against Scott City.

Scott City took the first game 6-1. Steven Posey pitched a complete game and gave up one run on five hits. Jeremy Glasstetter went 2-for-3 with a triple and single with two RBI's and two runs scored.

Ben Johnson pitched a one hitter as the A's defeated Scott City 3-0. Johnson struck out six along the way. Steven Posey had the only hit for Scott City.

Scott City split another double header Wednesday against Oran. Oran won 9-1 and Scott City won 4-3.

-- From staff reports