TIGERS POUNCE ON MULES 16-1

Cape Central scored 16 runs on 14 hits.

Two Tigers hit home runs and three hit doubles.

But the most important number for Cape Central in its 16-1 romp over Poplar Bluff Saturday was zero -- as in the number of walks Justin Welker issued.

Welker put forth a dominant performance, striking out 10 in a five-inning four-hitter at Cape Central High School.

Welker has had some control problems in years past, but he had command of his pitches Saturday.

"The thing he did well was get ahead in the count," Central coach Steve Williams said. "Then he was able to use his curveball to get outs."

"I felt really well," said Welker. "I threw strikes and that's the most important thing. In past years, I've had troubles finding it, but I stayed in control today. I felt real confident in myself and in everybody behind me."

Central's offensive explosion was aided by six Poplar Bluff errors which led to eight unearned runs. But make no mistake, Central pounded the ball hard and often.

The Tigers (2-0) did their most damage in the third when they scored 10 runs and sent 16 hitters to the plate. Senior Travis Wissman, who is playing for the first time since his freshman year, pulled a pitch way over the right-field fence for a three-run homer and catcher Dusty Barrows hit another three-run shot later in the inning.

Barrows' shot to left was his second home run in two games for the Tigers. He ended up going 3-for-3, a triple shy of the cycle, with four RBIs. Wissman went 2-for-3.

Central scored two runs in the first, one in the second and three in the fourth.

Poplar Bluff scored its only run on a two-out bloop double by Dusty Johnson in the fifth inning.

Central freshman left fielder Mitch Craft reached base four times. He went 3-for-4 with a double and a stolen base. Craft is 4-for-7 with two doubles and two stolen bases in his first two varsity games. He has reached base in six of his eight plate appearances.

"Mitch is just doing what Mitch can do," Williams said. "We're not asking him to do anything he can't do. The seniors have really taken him under their wing and he's doing a great job."

Central starting second baseman T.J. Erlacker injured his knee while trying to steal second base in the second inning and had to leave the game. Erlacker could put weight on his leg as he walked off the field and he seemed in good spirits after the contest.

The Tigers also romped in the junior varsity game 12-2, improving to 2-0. Jason Gibson was the winning pitcher while Seth Hudson went 3-for-3 to lead the offense.