Scott County ousts Dunklin County

The No. 6 seed eliminated the top seed from the double elimination event.

SENATH, Mo. -- Dunklin County entered the American Legion District 14 baseball tournament as the top seed with a 33-12 overall record and a 4-1 mark in district games.

But when Scott County Post 369 (Medicap) shocked Dunklin County with a 9-8, extra-inning victory Wednesday afternoon at the Senath-Hornersville Baseball Complex, Dunklin County's campaign came to a screeching halt.

The victory was the first district win of the season for Scott County (11-16), which was the No. 6 seed in the six-team tournament.

"I kind of felt that maybe they would be down a little bit after getting beat by Cape in the opener," Scott County coach Tom Dirnberger said of Dunklin County. "This is their tournament, they are a great team, and I feel sorry for them because they have had a great season.

"This is a great win for us because it is our first district win of the year."

Scott County starting pitcher Andy Stephens threw more than 150 pitches on the day in 10 innings of work.

"It was one of those times where we thought it might be his last chance to pitch," Dirnberger said. "He had pitched Sunday, but he had only threw about 45 pitches. He had plenty of stamina, and you can usually tell on him. He was feeling strong, and I sure wasn't going to take the game away from him."

Post 369 scored two runs in the first inning against Dunklin County starter Ryne Branum and built a 5-0 lead.

Caleb Daughhetee and Shane Menz came around to score on hits by Chad Friend and Matt Seyer in the first inning.

Seyer, who finished 3-for-5 with three RBI, drove in two runs in the third inning with a double over the head of Dunklin County center fielder Dylan Gurley.

Dunklin County climbed back to life in the third inning when Jeremy Patton pulled an inside pitch down the right field line for a three-run homer.

Dunklin County took a 6-5 lead in the fifth, but Scott County regained the lead in the top of the seventh on a hit by Jonathan Simpher.

Dunklin County took an 8-7 lead in the seventh, but Scott answered again. This time, Aaron Jenkins, who had three hits in his return after missing four games with an injury, drove in Daughhetee to tie the game.

Daughhetee, who had four hits, started the 10th with a hit to left and scored the game-winning run when Menz smocked a 2-0 fastball to left field.

Stephens retired the side in order to complete the win for Scott County.

"We just didn't play well in the tournament," Dunklin County coach Jamie Johnson said. "We didn't play well, we didn't get the breaks that we needed, and the first night against Cape we just didn't hit the baseball.

"We had a really good year, but we just didn't play well at the right time."