TIGERS HOPE RAIN CLEARS FOR TOURNEY

Considering the rather wet history of Cape Central's Big 8 Baseball Tournament, Tigers' coach Steve Williams might be enjoying this weeks deluge of precipitation more than most high school baseball coaches.

In the six-year history of the eight-team invitational, thunderstorms and rainouts have been as much a part of tourney action as home runs and strikeouts. Only once, in 1996, did wet weather bypass the area, allowing for a tournament free of delays or make-up games.

With the seventh annual edition of the Big 8 Tournament scheduled to begin with four games Friday, Williams is hopeful the early-week rainfall will bring sunny skies to the area this weekend.

"We're hoping for good weather," Williams said. "Everybody's anxious to play."

Central (13-3) and Notre Dame (9-4) will be the only local squads involved and will also serve as hosts for several of the games. Four St. Louis area schools along with Harrisburg (Ill.) and Heath (Ky.) make up the rest of the field.

"We're looking forward to people being able to watch some good high school baseball this weekend," said Williams. "All the first-round games could go either way."

Central, the only state-ranked team in the tournament, looks like the early tourney favorite. The Tigers are ranked seventh in Class 4A, but Williams thinks several other schools could make a run at the Big 8 title.

Hazelwood Central had a 10-3 record entering this week and Eureka started the season ranked second among small schools in the St. Louis area. Defending Big 8 champion Notre Dame is coming off Friday's 9-7 victory over Potosi, the No. 1 team in Class 3A, and has a good shot at another title.

The Bulldogs get things started Friday evening at 4, with the first of three games at Capaha Field. Notre Dame will meet Eureka in what looks like the marquee matchup of the first round.

"That's going to be a really good game," Williams said. "Eureka's record is around .500, but they've been playing 4A schools and got some losses. They're awfully solid."

Hazelwood Central and Heath follow at 6:15 p.m. and Harrisburg and Owensville end the night's action with an 8:30 game. Central will play the only contest at Tiger Field on Friday, facing Rockwood Summit (9-2-1) at 4:15 p.m.

The tournament resumes Saturday morning with consolation semifinals beginning at 10 at both Cape Central and Notre Dame. Championship semifinals follow on the those two fields at noon.

The title game at Tiger Field will conclude action at 4:15 p.m.

Big 8 Tournament

Friday's Games

(at Cape Central)

Cape Central vs. Rockwood Summit, 4:15 p.m.

(at Capaha Park)

Notre Dame vs. Eureka, 4 p.m.

Hazelwood Central vs. Heath (Ky.), 6:15 p.m.

Harrisburg (Ill.) vs. Owensville, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday's Games

Consolation semifinals at Cape Central and Notre Dame, 10 a.m.

Championship semifinals at Cape Central and Notre Dame, noon

Seventh-place game at Notre Dame, 2 p.m.

Third-place game at Cape Central, 2 p.m.

Consolation final at Notre Dame, 4 p.m.

Big 8 Championship at Cape Central, 4:15 p.m.