After starting the season 2-0, the Cape Central Tigers dropped down to .500 after falling to Poplar Bluff and Vianney on Saturday in Cape Central High School.
The Tigers entered the fifth inning leading 6-3 but came away with an 8-7 loss to the Mules in a high-scoring affair, in which both teams collected six hits.
The Mules capitalized on a five-run rally in the fifth inning to secure the come-from-behind victory, highlighted by a two-run single by Kolby Greenwall to break the 6-6 tie.
Dylan Hall led the Mules with two hits and two RBI. He scored on a passed ball in the first inning to give the Mules their first run. He drove in two more runs in the second inning to push the early Poplar Bluff lead to 3-0.
The Tigers struck back in the second inning to tie the game 3-3. A double by Cole Proffer and back-to-back walks loaded the bases for Christian McNew, who got hit by a pitch to drive in a run. Brayden Meade drove in two more runs on a base hit to tie the game.
McNew broke the tie in the third inning with an RBI single. Proffer added a run in the fourth inning on a base hit and Jackson Witvoet stole home to make it a 6-3 Tiger lead.
Noah Spain was awarded the win for Poplar Bluff after allowing one hit and one run while striking out three in three innings. David Durbin threw 2.1 innings in relief out of the bullpen. Ryalan Seesengood started the game and lasted 1.2 innings, allowing two hits and three runs while striking out four.
TJ Klipfel took the loss for the Tigers after lasting two innings, allowing three hits and five runs while striking out three. Carter Crosnoe started the game and gave up three runs on three hits over three innings, striking out three.
Both teams fell to Vianney to cap Saturday's slate of games. The Griffins routed the Mules 25-1 and took out the Tigers 12-2.
An RBI single by Myles Johnson was the Mules' lone bright spot against the Griffins, who scored 21 runs in the fourth inning to force the run rule.
Crosnoe and Proffer each drove in a run for the Tigers, who were stifled by the Griffins' pitching.
Poplar Bluff (2-3) will host Dexter on Monday at 4:30 p.m., while Cape Central travels to Kennett.
__Oran splits Saturday's slate at Cape__
The Oran Eagles played two games at Capaha Field in Cape Girardeau. They were on both sides of the same result, shutting out Ellington 13-0 and being shut out by Valle 7-0.
Two pitchers combined to throw a six-inning shutout for the Eagles. Gabe Dirnberger started the game, throwing the first four innings with two hits, two walks, and four strikeouts. Carson Kern finished the final two innings with a pair of hits and strikeouts.
Oran scored four runs in the fifth and sixth inning to force the run rule. Parker Bryant and Kole Burger each had three RBIs in the game. Burger also hit a home run in the sixth inning.
Aiden Anderson pitched five innings for Ellington Whippets, surrendering nine runs on six hits with four strikeouts. Ralon Morrissey came out of the bullpen for the final inning.
Valle nearly pitched a no-hitter against the Eagles. Parker Bryant broke up the bid with a one-out single in the seventh inning. A double-play ended the game.
Valle also shut out Ellington 11-0 before blanking the Eagles. The Whippets got two hits from Brock Morey and Colby Hedrick.
Connect with the Southeast Missourian Newsroom:
For corrections to this story or other insights for the editor, click here. To submit a letter to the editor, click here. To learn about the Southeast Missourian’s AI Policy, click here.