RAIN DELAY PUTS TOURNEY IN LATE ZONE

Dunklin County and the rain stole the spotlight Thursday night as the American Legion Zone Tournament got under way at Capaha Field.

Dunklin County, coming off a championship in the District 14 Tournament that was also played at Capaha Field, edged Anheuser-Busch 3-2 in the zone opener that was delayed two hours by rain.

And that rain forced Thursday's's second game between host Cape Girardeau Ford & Sons and De Soto to begin about two hours later than it's scheduled 8:30 p.m. starting time.

As the Southeast Missourian went to press, Cape led 1-0 in the fourth inning.

Weather permitting, today's action in the five-team, double-elimination tourney will begin at 10 a.m. and feature four games.

Anheuser-Busch will meet the loser of Cape vs. De Soto in an elimination contest to start things off today.

"The rain has caused us some trouble, but we're fighting through it," said Cape manager Ron Michel. "Hopefully if it doesn't rain any more we'll be able to stay on schedule the rest of the way."

Heavy rain Wednesday night and early Thursday morning caused the tournament's grounds crew to work overtime for much of Thursday.

The field was in good shape by Thursday's 5:30 p.m. opener. But as Dunklin County and Anheuser-Busch headed to the bottom of the second inning, lightning hit the sky and rain began to fall. So the tarpaulin was put on the field and it stayed there for nearly 90 minutes until the rain finally stopped.

The teams finally were able to resume after a two-hour delay.

"I can't say enough about what everybody did to get the field ready, not only before play began Thursday but also once our first game got rain delayed," Michel said. "Everybody has pitched in to do a great job."

Despite the rain delay, Dunklin County (34-11) and Anheuser-Busch (21-16) put on an impressive display of baseball as the game was generally well-played and fast-paced.

Keith Robertson got the win as he pitched 7 1/3 innings, allowing six hits and one run. Robertson struck out nine and did not issue a walk.

Tony Kelsey earned a save with 1 2/3 innings of relief. He gave up one hit.

Matt Tesreau was the tough-luck loser. He allowed two runs (one earned) and five hits in 7 1/3 innings.

Dunklin County took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. After the long delay, the Redbirds made it 2-0 in the eighth.

Anheuser-Busch pulled to within 2-1 in the bottom of the eighth and had a chance to tie but a squeeze play failed and resulted in a crucial out at home.

The Redbirds went up 3-1 in the ninth, which offset a run by A-B in the bottom of the frame.

Chris McClain and Cliff Collins both had two of Dunklin County's six hits.

Pepper Hendrixson had two of A-B's seven hits.

Cape took a 23-24 record into Thursday's late game while De Soto was 20-16.

Zone Tournament

(At Capaha Field)

Thursday's Results

Game 1: Dunklin Co. 3 vs. Anheuser Busch 2

Game 2: Cape vs. DeSoto, late

Today's Schedule

Game 3: 10 a.m. -- Anheuser Busch vs. Game 2 loser

Game 4: 1 p.m. -- Ballwin vs. Game 2 winner

Game 5: 5:30 p.m. -- Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser

Game 6: 8:30 p.m. -- Dunklin Co. vs. Game 4 winner

Saturday's Schedule

Game 7: 1 p.m. -- Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 loser

Game 8: 7 p.m. -- Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 winner

Sunday's Schedule

(If necessary)

Game 9: 1 p.m. -- Only needed if Game 6 winner loses Game 8