TIGERS PASS FIRST TEST 8-1

Cape Girardeau Central High's baseball team had a relatively easy time with Poplar Bluff Friday afternoon in the opening round of the SEMO Conference Tournament.

But coach Steve Williams knows things will get a whole lot tougher tonight for his third-seeded Tigers as they play second-seeded Chaffee in a 7:30 semifinal at Capaha Field.

"Chaffee (which has won 14 straight since losing to Central 3-1 in the season opener) is one of the best Class 2A teams in the state and one of the best teams in this area period," said Williams following his squad's 8-1 victory over sixth-seeded Poplar Bluff at Notre Dame. "It should be a great game and we're looking forward to it."

The Tigers, who were expected to be one of the state's better 4A teams when the season started but got off to something of a slow start, are quickly rounding into form. Friday's triumph improved Central's record to 11-8.

"We're starting to play better and now is the time you want to do it," Williams said. "We were kind of up and down for a while, but things are starting to come around for us."

Central is certainly set up well in the pitching department for the rest of the nine-team, three-day tourney. That's because Rob Carr gave the Tigers a strong complete-game performance Friday, allowing seven hits in seven innings.

Carr, who struck out six and walked two, was touched for three hits and a run in the opening inning but blanked the Mules (8-14) on four hits the rest of the way.

"Rob did a great job," said Williams. "In a tournament like this, it's nice to get a complete game the first day."

The Tigers' bats also were alive as Central banged out 12 hits, led by Seth Hudson with three to go along with two runs batted in.

Jason Chavez, Central's No. 1 pitcher who figures to get the start tonight, delivered a pair of ringing triples and had two RBIs. Also getting two hits each were Justin Welker and Travis Wissman, the latter scoring two runs.

"We're starting to swing the bats better," Williams said. "It's pleasing to see because we were struggling for a while."

Central freshman speedster Mitch Craft, who reached base three times on walks and scored twice, stole two more bases to give him 17 for the season, which is just six short of the school record.

Andrew Baker paced the Mules with two hits. Josh Smith was the losing hurler as he allowed seven runs and 10 hits in three innings.

After falling behind 1-0, the Tigers tied it in the bottom of the first, went ahead for good with a two-run second and opened up a commanding lead with a four-run third that featured a two-RBI triple by Chavez. Central's final tally came in the fourth.