Scott City ends district drought

Few things came easy for Scott City in the Class 2 District 2 Tournament, so it was probably only fitting that the Rams had to sweat out their first district championship since 1991.

The third-seeded Rams piled up a 9-0 lead through five innings before holding off fifth-seeded St. Vincent 9-7 in Thursday afternoon's title game at Scott City.

Scott City will carry a 10-9 record into Wednesday's sectional contest at East Prairie.

"I never expected it to be easy," Scott City coach Mike Umfleet said. "I knew St. Vincent wouldn't quit."

That never-say-die attitude was also demonstrated by Scott City during Monday's district opener against Charleston. The Rams trailed 3-0 in the seventh and final inning before rallying for four runs with two outs to prevail 4-3.

"I'm really proud of the guys," said Umfleet, whose squad was 1-6 at one point during the season. "We play a really tough schedule in the SEMO Conference and our kids battled hard all year against those teams. I think that's helped us."

Andy Stephens, a junior left-hander who struck out 17 in the win over Charleston, appeared headed for a possible shutout as he dominated St. Vincent (10-13) for five innings, allowing just three hits as the Rams led 9-0.

But Scott City changed pitchers in the top of the sixth, with freshman Ryan Modglin coming in from right field to the mound and Stephens going to center field.

"Andy came off after the fifth inning and said he was a little tired," Umfleet said. "Ryan threw well in relief the other day and he's been a good pitcher for us this year."

But Modglin ran into immediate trouble and was replaced by Matt Miller, who also struggled. The net result was a six-run St. Vincent uprising that necessitated Stephens coming back in to pitch.

Stephens allowed a two-run single in that inning -- the runs were not charged to him -- but retired the final two batters, then closed out the victory in the seventh, although St. Vincent scored a run and had the bases loaded when Stephens sealed the win with a strikeout.

"I didn't expect to come back in and pitch," said a smiling Stephens.

In 6 2/3 innings, Stephens allowed one run and five hits. He struck out six and walked three.

Scott City had 13 hits, led by Stephens' 3-for-4 performance that featured two doubles and four RBIs. Blake Dirnberger doubled twice and had two RBIs, Jason Schenimann had two hits and two RBIs, and Modglin added two hits.

"The first thing we planned on this year was winning the district title," said shortstop Luke McClellan, one of eight Scott City seniors. "It's a great feeling, but we don't want to stop now."

Said Umfleet, whose team scored four first-inning runs, then added two in both the second and third: "My seniors have done an outstanding job, and so have all the players. We're really excited."

Greg Finger, the losing pitcher as he lasted just 1/3 of an inning, had three hits and two RBIs for the Indians. Joey Guilliams added two hits and two RBIs.

"I'm proud of the guys. We battled and battled, which is the way it's been all year," St. Vincent coach Craig Hayden said.

SCOTT CITY 9, ST. VINCENT 7

St. Vincent 000 006 1 -- 7 8 1

Scott City 422 010 X -- 9 13 1

WP -- Andy Stephens. LP -- Greg Finger. 2B -- Stephens (SC) 2, Blake Dirnberger (SC) 2, Luke McClellan (SC). Multiple hits -- St. Vincent, Finger 3-4, Joey Guilliams 2-3; Scott City, Stephens 3-4, Dirnberger 2-3, Ryan Modglin 2-3, Jason Schenimann 2-4. Records -- St. Vincent 10-13, Scott City 10-9