SIKESTON AWARDED TOP SEED IN CLASS 4A, DISTRICT 1

Sikeston's baseball team went undefeated in the SEMO Conference this season and will be attempting to continue that string of dominance against most of the same teams as the Bulldogs host the Class 4A, District 1 tournament starting Monday.

Sikeston, ranked 10th in the 4A coaches poll with a 15-3 record, received a bye to the semifinals along with second-seed Cape Central and third-seed Poplar Bluff. Monday's only first-round game will pit No. 4 Jackson against No. 5 Farmington at 4 p.m.

With the only two winning records entering the tournament, Cape Central (19-6) and Sikeston appear head-and-shoulders above the rest of the field.

Of course, if last year's tourney is any proof, a surprise could emerge from the bottom of the field. Last season, third-seeded Farmington beat fourth-seed Jackson for the district title.

"The way it usually goes, anybody can win in our district," said Central coach Steve Williams. "It doesn't matter what the records are. It usually comes down to who shows up to play on that day."

The Tigers will open the tournament at home Tuesday against Poplar Bluff (9-10) at 3 p.m. The change of venue and early start time are a result of Central's All-School Recognition Banquet later in the evening.

Central will rely on the 1-2 pitching combination of Craig Ringwald and Tatum Kitchen to get them through the district. Kitchen has also been a powerful presence at the plate along with center fielder Ross Bennett. The Tigers beat the Mules both times this season.

"We can't afford to look past anybody," Williams said. "What you've done up to now won't mean a lot when we start playing (Tuesday)."

Sikeston will host the winner between Farmington (10-12) and Jackson (8-13) in the other semifinal at 2 p.m. The Knights beat Jackson in extra innings last week.

Travis Stevens leads the Indians' offense with a .466 batting average, followed by Tory Meyr at .397. Jason Goben (3-5) and Chris Schlick (2-4) are the top arms on the pitching staff.

Thursday's championship game is scheduled to be played in Sikeston at 4 p.m.

Class 3A, District 3

Windsor will take the top seed into this district hosted by Ste. Genevieve and scheduled to start Monday.

The Owls rolled through their Jefferson County Conference schedule, and with a first-round bye to the semifinals, are expected to do the same in this district.

Second seed Herculaneum also received a bye to Tuesday's semifinals and will play the winner of Monday's contest between No. 3 Ste. Genevieve and No. 6 St. Pius.

Tuesday's first semifinal will match Windsor against the winner of No. 4 Perryville and No. 5 Festus. The Pirates and Tigers square off Monday at 3 p.m.

The district title game is slated for Thursday at 4 p.m.