SIKESTON SLIPS PAST TIGERS 4-2

SIKESTON -- As far as baseball goes, the weather couldn't have been any worse -- cold, wet and muddy.

But the Sikeston Bulldogs (3-0, 3-0 SEMO Conference) made the most of it as they rallied for a 4-2 win over the Cape Girardeau Central Tigers Wednesday at VFW Stadium. The game was called in the sixth inning due to the weather.

The Bulldogs' Heath Self provided the heroics in the fifth inning with a bloop two-run double as Sikeston took the lead for the first time in the game.

Until then, it looked like it was Central's game to lose. Trailing 1-0 for most of the game, Sikeston finally got some offense going in the bottom of the fifth. With one out, Kent Chappell led off with a single and then Jamie Puckett's sharp ground ball to shortstop was mishandled, setting up first and second with one out.

After an Adam Garrett fielder's choice, Billy Puckett walked to load the bases with two outs. Self's Texas League hit found a spot in between shortstop and a diving left fielder to score Chris Cota, who courtesy ran for Chappell, and Garrett. Self and Puckett scored two much-needed insurance runs when the Tigers committed a throwing error on Jason Davis' ground ball.

Cape Central (3-3, 2-0) had a chance in the top of the sixth when the Tigers loaded the bases with nobody out, but Billy Puckett got out of the jam allowing just one run. He struck out the final batter to end the game.

While the weather made things difficult on everybody, Central coach Steve Williams refused to use that as an excuse.

"The weather was the same on their side as it was on our side, we still had chances to win," said Williams. "You can't use that as an excuse. To win games you have to make plays. Today we didn't make them.

"Puckett's one of the top pitchers in the area. He's going to give his team a chance to win every time he pitches. Our pitcher did a good job too. He hit his spots and he mixed his pitches well. If we make the plays in the fifth inning then I think it would've been over. I believe it would've been called after five."

Sikeston got a nice pitching performance from Puckett, who went six innings and allowed two runs off three hits while striking out six to get the win.

Central's Justin Cook threw equally as well but didn't get as much help in the field. He went five innings and allowed four unearned runs off three hits while striking out five in the loss.

"Under these conditions, it's hard on the pitchers," said Sikeston coach Kevin Self. "I thought Billy threw extremely well. When it got a little slick there were times when he'd lose a little control. But overall he did a real nice job. Defensively it was hard because the footing isn't all that great."

Cape's Justin Welker, Josh McIntosh and Richard Harrison provided the only hits for the Tigers.

Garrett, Self and Chappell were the only hitters for Sikeston.