YOUNG GUN SHOOTS DOWN CAPE

JACKSON -- Poplar Bluff American Legion pitcher Jamie McAlister might have been the youngest player on the field here Tuesday.

But to Cape Girardeau Ford & Sons, McAlister looked like a seasoned veteran.

McAlister, recently promoted from Poplar Bluff's Junior Legion squad, pitched no-hit baseball for 7 2/3 innings to help lead the fifth seed to a 10-7 win over the fourth seed in the opening round of the District 14 Tournament at the Jackson Legion Field.

Poplar Bluff (14-16) moves into today's 5 p.m. winner's bracket semifinal against second-seeded Chaffee (25-13).

Cape (21-21) falls into an 8 o'clock elimination game tonight against Charleston (5-24), the seventh and last seed.

Also Tuesday, top-seeded Dunklin County defeated third-seeded Sikeston 10-1 in a winner's bracket semifinal, moving Dunklin County (33-5) into Friday night's winner's bracket finals. Sikeston (17-17) plays an elimination game Thursday.

McAlister was simply too much for Cape, even though he issued eight walks. The 16-year-old right-hander, who struck out five, did not allow a hit until Josh McIntosh singled cleanly to left field with two outs in the top of the eighth inning.

That hit marked the end of the day for McAlister, who had already thrown well over 100 pitches. Poplar Bluff led 8-1 at the time and held off a late Cape rally.

"Jamie did an outstanding job," said Poplar Bluff manager John Moon. "He was the top pitcher on our Junior Legion team and we just brought him up.

"His pitch count got high, about 115 or 120. Once the no-hitter was gone, we wanted to make sure he had some arm left if we get far enough in the tournament."

Cape got all seven of its hits in the final two innings and made things somewhat interesting with a five-run ninth that featured a solo home run by Scott Reinagel and a grand slam by McIntosh, his team-high 12th homer of the season. But it was too little, too late.

"We just didn't do it. We didn't hit," said Cape manager Ron Michel. "Their pitcher did a good job but he walked eight and we didn't capitalize on our chances."

Ford & Sons starter Justin Cook took the loss, allowing eight runs (seven earned) and 10 hits. Mark Ostendorf gave up two runs and three hits over the final four innings.

Poplar Bluff, leading 3-1, broke the game open with a five-run fifth that knocked out Cook. Bob Marler had three of Bluff's 13 hits while Randy Welsh, Cameron Carter and Travis Huffman all added two. Carter also homered.

McIntosh was the lone Cape player with two hits.

"It's very disappointing," said Michel of the loss. "But we'll just have to bounce back. We're not out of this thing yet."

In Tuesday's late game, Dunklin County won its tourney opener by pulling away from Sikeston.

Brandon Swindle's solo homer in the bottom of the fifth gave Dunklin County a 2-1 lead and the heavy tourney favorite was on its way. Jonathan Payne pitched all nine innings.

Billy Puckett took the loss. Sikeston's lone run came on a homer by Jordan Sieben.

* In Monday night's late game, Chaffee defeated Charleston 16-5.

Josh Eftink was the star for Chaffee. At the plate, he went 4-for-4 and blasted his 21st home run of the season. On the mound, he struck out 14 and allowed three runs and eight hits in eight innings.

Jason Glastetter also had four hits and a homer for Chaffee. Lance Amick had four hits as well while Dusty Leggett added three hits.

Terry Humphrey paced Charleston with three hits.

The game was actually tied 3-3 after six innings before Chaffee broke things open late.

"I told the guys before the game that Charleston would play us tough," said Chaffee manger Jeff Graviett. "It's a new season in the tournament and everybody is ready to go."