Sikeston doubles Central in slugfest

A day after dropping a 1-0 decision to rival Jackson, the Central baseball team found itself in a slugfest Wednesday at home against Sikeston.

The result remained the same for the Tigers, who fell 10-5 for their second straight loss to a SEMO Conference opponent.

Unlike the 13-strikeout performance sophomore Brad LaBruyere delivered for the Tigers (2-6) on Tuesday, Central's two pitchers Wednesday had trouble locating the strike zone. Both starter Tyrone Reece, who lasted just 2 2/3 innings, and Tyler Bruce each consistently got behind hitters, leading to 12 Sikeston hits.

"We got behind as pitchers. We were behind way too much," Central coach Steve Williams said. "When hitters know what's coming, you have to be in the strike zone, you then make them better hitters."

The big inning for the Bulldogs (2-0) came in the form of a six-run third. Reece narrowly escaped a no-out bases loaded jam in the second, but had no such luck in the third.

Sikeston led 1-0 on two singles, a walk and a hit batsmen when Tyler Baker struck the big blow, a grand slam over the left-center field wall to make the score 5-0. A walk, an error and a single led to the sixth run of the inning.

Central narrowed the gap to 7-4 with three runs in the fifth, but Sikeston scored a run in the fifth, two in the sixth and one in the seventh.

Sikeston senior Cullen DeHart, making his first high school start since his sophomore season after surgery, allowed six hits in six innings for the win.

Zac Hudson had two hits for Central and Matt Hester added two RBIs. Bruce pitched the last 4 1/3 innings for the Tigers and allowed four runs, six hits, two walks and struck out two.

Central will try to get back in the win column when it hosts Parkway North on Saturday.

"We'll be fine; we just have to keep getting better," Williams said. "It's only March. We have a long way to go."

SIKESTON 10, CENTRAL 5

Sikeston 006 012 1 -- 10 12 3

Central 000 131 0 -- 5 6 1

WP -- Cullen DeHart, 1-0. LP -- Tyrone Reece, 0-3. HR -- Tyler Baker (S), Limbaugh (S). Multiple hits -- Sikeston, Baker 3-4; Ross Merideth 2-2; Central, Zac Hudson 2-4. Records -- Central 2-6, Sikeston 2-0.