Sr. Legion District 14 Tournament begins today

The Jackson Post 158 Senior American Legion baseball team would appear to face little pressure entering the District 14 tournament since it has already locked up a zone berth.

Don't tell that to Jackson coach Mark Lewis, whose squad is intent on performing at a peak level as it seeks its second straight District 14 tournament title.

"Pressure is all relative. You can't tell what makes one kid feel more pressure and another kid feel less pressure," Lewis said. "The big thing is, I just want to play well. All we're looking at is our next game.

"We're going into the tournament like we're 0-0. It's basically a new season for everybody."

The winner of the district tournament earns a berth in next week's Zone 4 tournament, which Jackson has qualified for since it is hosting the five-team event.

If Jackson repeats as district champion, then the district runner-up also will qualify for zone play.

"We want to play well and you have to come prepared," Lewis said. "The team that plays the best is going to win it."

Jackson (35-7) is the No. 2 seed for the four-team double-elimination District 14 event that runs today through Sunday in Senath, Mo. Top-seeded Dunklin County Post 303 (22-10) is the host.

Rounding out the field are third-seeded Sikeston Post 114 (15-13) and fourth-seeded Cape Girardeau Ford and Sons Post 63 (19-22).

Scott County Post 303 was supposed to make the tournament a five-team affair but the squad, which went winless in regular-season district play, has dropped out due to a lack of players.

Jackson and Sikeston get the tournament started today at 4:30 p.m., with Dunklin County facing Cape at 7:30 p.m.

Today's winners meet at 4:30 p.m. Friday, with the losers squaring off at 7:30 p.m.

The losers bracket final is set for 1:30 p.m. Saturday, with the championship to follow at 4:30 p.m. An if-necessary title contest would take place at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Jackson and Dunklin County tied for the top district records during regular-season play at 7-1 after splitting their two district meetings.

Dunklin County won the tie-breaker for the No. 1 seed based on run differential in the two district matchups with Jackson. Jackson won the first meeting 3-2 and Dunklin County captured the rematch 3-0.

Sikeston and Cape both went 3-5 in district play, with Sikeston capturing the tie-breaker based on run differential.

"It's going to be a big challenge," Lewis said. "Dunklin County is always tough. Cape and Sikeston have both been very competitive. I think all four teams have a chance."

Jackson rolled to the championship in last year's tournament without a loss. Post 158, whose program only has been in existence since the late 1990s, captured just its second district title and first since 2005.

Post 158 then went 1-2 in the zone tournament that was hosted by Cape.

Many of this year's Jackson players also were on last summer's squad, which fueled expectations for a big season. Post 158 has lived up to that billing.

"You can't complain about the season we've had," Lewis said. "We have some good kids, some good coaches. ... They've been a blessing."

Perennial district power Dunklin County should have the best shot at preventing Jackson from repeating.

But Cape and Sikeston, which have been competitive most of the summer, can't be counted out.

"It's all about getting hot at the right time," Cape coach Justin Lieser said. "Jackson is on a pretty good run this season and Dunklin County is playing really well.

"We'll have our hands full with this young group, but one thing we have going for us is how well we get along together. It's a true team. We've been competitive. ... Like with any team, if you get the pitching and play defense you've got a chance."

What will make the tournament especially interesting is that all games are scheduled for nine innings after teams played primarily seven-inning affairs during the regular season.

"Nine-inning games are a lot different," Lewis said. "You play seven [innings] most of the summer and now you're going nine. It changes things, especially with your pitching."