Scott County notches first victory in tourney

The first-year Scott County American Legion team won for the first time this season, beating Jonesboro's senior team 8-7 in the Paragould, Ark., tournament on Friday.

Scott County (1-2) built an 8-1 lead and held on for the victory.

Andy Stephens allowed one run over the first three innings; Russell Carroll surrendered six runs over 2 2/3 innings; and Caleb Daughhetee closed out the final 1 1/3 innings.

Shane Menz had three hits and four RBI to lead the offense. Aaron Jenkins had two hits, including a double, and drove in a run. Lucas Dirnberger had a double and twice was hit by a pitch.

Scott County closes out play in the tournament today with a 12:30 p.m. game against the Jonesboro, Ark., junior team and a 5:30 p.m. game against host Paragould.

Scott County had opened the season by losing a doubleheader to Festus. After falling 8-6 in the opener, Scott County was 10-runned in the second game and lost shortstop Jacob Essner for the season. Essner suffered an ACL injury while attempting to turn a double play.

Cape falls in tournament

The Cape Girardeau Ford and Sons American Legion team, which is also competing in the 17-team, round-robin tournament, lost its season opener 6-5 to Benton, Ark., in 11 innings.

Cape Girardeau scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the game, but Benton scored on a double in the top of the 11th to put it away.

Scott Brueckner went 4-for-5 with a triple at the plate to lead Ford and Sons' 12-hit attack, and Sean Bard and Kendal Deason each added two hits.

Jeremy Brinkmeyer started on the mound for Cape and lasted three innings, allowing four hits and one earned run. Lance Young and Michael Taylor each pitched two innings before Blake Essner, who suffered the loss, entered in the eighth and pitched the last four innings. Essner surrendered four hits, including the game-winner.

Ford and Sons will play today at 10 a.m. today against Mount View, Ark., and at 2 p.m. Sunday against Jonesboro, Ark.