Thies helps Ford & Sons open district with big win

John Thies had never pitched nine innings at one time.

In fact, Thies had taken the mound in only one previous nine-inning contest, that last summer when he said he lasted seven innings.

But the Cape Girardeau American Legion left-hander looked like he was born to go the long distance Monday night when Ford & Sons opened its District 14 schedule with a 12-3 win over Jackson at Capaha Field.

Despite humid conditions, Thies looked strong to the end of a complete-game six-hitter. The senior-to-be at Central High School struck out nine and walked four.

"It felt great to go all nine," Thies said. "I really wanted to do it."

Cape is 1-1 overall; Jackson fell to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in District 14.

"John was pretty well in control," Cape manager Tom Reinagel said, "and he had good pop at the end of the game."

Thies said it didn't hurt that his teammates broke loose with 15 hits, quite an improvement over Cape's season-opening five-hit performance in a 6-1 loss Saturday at Ballwin, Mo.

"It's nice to get all those runs," Thies said.

Said Reinagel, "We saw a pretty good pitcher Saturday" in Matt Murray. "He was throwing in the mid-80s. It's nice to break out with the bats."

Josh Ford, another Central product, led Cape's offense by going 4-for-4, including a double. He scored four runs.

"I was seeing the ball good," Ford said.

Seth Hudson, Tyler Schlosser, Chris Conrad and Dustin Tatum all added two hits for Ford & Sons. Tatum drove in three runs and scored twice. Hudson, Schlosser, Tim Wencewicz and Aaron Dohogne all had two RBIs. Hudson and Dohogne both had two hits during the loss at Ballwin.

Eight of Cape's nine starters hit safely and Ford & Sons had six extra-base hits, including a triple by Wencewicz.

"We hit the ball up and down the lineup," Reinagel said.

Austin McDowell was the losing pitcher. In 6 1/3 innings, he allowed all 12 runs (11 earned) and 14 hits, with two strikeouts and one walk. Tim Davis hurled 1 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit. He struck out two.

Six players accounted for Jackson's hits.

Cape, which never trailed, broke a 1-1 tie with two runs in the second inning. Ford & Sons had control the rest of the way, its big inning being a four-run fourth that featured a two-RBI triple by Wencewicz.

Ford & Sons led 9-1 before Jackson got two runs in the seventh, but Cape came back with three in the bottom of the seventh to round out the night's scoring.

Cape will return to action Wednesday when a strong Festus squad visits Capaha Field for a 7:30 p.m. non-district game.

mmishow@semissourian.com

(573) 335-6611, extension 132