TIGERS CLAW BACK; CENTRAL AVENGES LOPSIDED LOSTT TO CBC, WINS 7-6

For Josh McIntosh, hitting two home runs Monday afternoon was sweet -- as was the fact those long balls helped Cape Girardeau Central High's baseball team claim a big 7-6 victory over visiting CBC.

The Cadets are traditionally one of the top squads in the St. Louis area and they have had their way with the Tigers over the past couple of seasons, including a lopsided win last year.

That's why Monday's triumph, which improved Central's record to 3-1 and dropped CBC to 2-1, was so gratifying for McIntosh and the rest of the Tigers.

"It's the first time I've hit two home runs in a high school game and it's a good feeling," said a grinning McIntosh. "I've been looking to get back at CBC. They've kicked our butts severely lately and last year it was really bad."

Central coach Steve Williams, while also happy to gain a measure of revenge against the Cadets, was more pleased to see his squad perform well against what is annually a strong team.

"Last year they just killed us. It was brought up (in pre-game talks)," said Williams with a smile. "It's a great win for us. They're always one of the better programs around.

"It was a real well played game by both teams. Our kids are doing what they're capable of doing and we're playing well."

The back-and-forth game had the Tigers trailing 6-4 entering the bottom of the fifth inning, and they were about to face hard-throwing Pat Evers for the first time.

Evers hit Zac Fidler with a pitch leading off the fifth to get the Tigers started. With one out, Justin Welker deposited an Evers delivery over the right-field fence for a two-run homer and a 6-6 tie.

With two outs, McIntosh drilled an Evers pitch over the left-field fence to break the deadlock.

"He was feeding me fastballs right down the middle, then I saw a curve and I hit it out," said McIntosh.

Earlier, a two-run McIntosh homer to left in the second inning off CBC starter Brad Arnett had staked the Tigers to a 2-0 lead.

CBC scored four runs in the third inning to go up 4-2, but Central plated two in the bottom of the frame for a 4-4 tie. After the Cadets went back ahead with two in the fifth, the Tigers used the long ball in their half of the fifth to grab the lead for good.

Welker, in addition to hitting the game-tying homer in the fifth, received credit for the victory when the Tigers rallied. Welker pitched the first five innings, allowing all six runs and seven hits. He struck out two and walked three.

Jay Pierce came on in the sixth and notched a well-earned save. Over the final two innings, Pierce allowed just one baserunner, that on a seventh-inning single. He fanned two.

"That's twice now Jay has come in and done a real nice job. The key is he throws strikes," Williams said. "I also thought Justin did a good job. He got us through five innings and had us in the game."

Both teams finished with eight hits. Mark Fisher joined McIntosh in getting two for the Tigers.

"This is a big win for us," said Fisher. "I think we've got a good team this year."

Slugging first baseman A.J. Otto led CBC with three hits and three RBIs. Mark Catanzaro and John Watson each added two hits.

The game, which featured just one error, came down to a thrilling finish in the top of the seventh.

With CBC needing a run to tie, Catanzaro got a one-out single and moved to second when the ball was misplayed in the outfield for the only error of the contest.

With two outs and Catanzaro still on second, cleanup batter Otto stepped to the plate. Otto had not been retired previously, delivering a double and two singles. The thought of intentionally walking Otto crossed Williams' mind, but he decided against putting the potential winning run on base.

"I told Jay to make him (Otto) hit his pitch," Williams said. "We didn't want to walk him, but we didn't want to give in to him."

Pierce got Otto on a ground ball to third to nail down the victory.

Now the Tigers will turn their attentions to one of their fiercest rivals as they visit Jackson today.