SHS slams Eagles

NEW MADRID -- The Sikeston Bulldogs won for the sixth time in the last seven games as they upset New Madrid County Central 12-2 in five innings in the SEMO Conference Baseball Tournament Friday afternoon at New Madrid.

Sikeston, seeded seventh, fell behind 2-0 but scored seven runs in the top of the fourth and five more runs in the fifth to enforce the 10-run rule of the No. 2 seeded Eagles.

Sikeston (11-9) continued play in the SEMO Conference Tournament on Saturday against Kennett. Results from that game will be in Monday's edition.

"I felt like the other day against Notre Dame (12-8 Sikeston win), maybe we were turning the corner," said Sikeston coach Kevin Self. "You don't come in here and expect to 10-run these guys because they're No. 2 in the conference. But we just came to play and we made the most of our opportunities."

NMCC (7-6) scored a run in both the second and third innings to take a 2-0 lead.

But the Bulldogs quickly swung the momentum back their way.

A double and two walks loaded the bases. Austin Williams broke the shutout with an RBI-single. Cody Anderson then drew a bases loaded walk to bring in the tying run.

Scott Droddy's sacrifice fly brought in the go-ahead run. Jerod Scott then singled to load the bases again.

Josh Jackson then cleared the sacks with a grand slam well over the left field fence to break the game open, 7-2, to chase Eagle starter Thomas Higgerson from the hill.

One inning later, NMCC's defense came unglued, opening the door for another Sikeston rally.

The Eagles started the inning with back-to-back errors. After a sacrifice bunt moved the runners up a base, relief pitcher Jordan Kimball started to have control problems.

He walked four of the next five batters, three of which were bases loaded walks to bring in runs.

Then Dustin Barker singled to right field, bringing in two more runs to put the rule-rule in effect.

NMCC wasn't able to scratch in the bottom of the fifth as Scott closed out the game with a strikeout.

He threw five innings to get the victory, allowing two runs (one earned) off five hits with four strikeouts and one walk.

"This bunch today showed me they had some killer instinct," said Self. "That's something that we haven't seen. But we got behind early, we came back and got the lead, and then we got the hammer and drove in a couple nails to end it. I'm very pleased with the way we played. We didn't have any mental mistakes today. We had a few physical mistakes, but mentally we were zeroed in today. I'm tickled to death right now."

Higgerson was the losing pitcher, throwing 3 2/3 innings, allowing seven earned runs off seven hits with four walks and three strikeouts.

"Thomas has been having back spasms the last week or so," said NMCC coach John Jones. "He started losing his control and they got the bases loaded and then the big grand slam kind of took the wind out of our sails."

Kimball threw 1 1/3 innings of relief, allowing five unearned runs off one hit with five walks and three strikeouts.

Sikeston had chances to score early in the game, but lost a runner trying to stretch a single into a double, and stranded three base runners in the second and third innings.

NMCC took advantage.

Dylan Harris singled and eventually came around to score on Landon Lingle's sacrifice fly to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second.

The Eagles made it 2-0 in the third inning. Kimball singled and made it all the way to third on two throwing errors on the play. Andy Gantner then brought in Kimball with a sac-fly.

"I thought when we missed some opportunities early in the game that they would come back to haunt us," said Self. "But they didn't -- we just kept staying after and kept staying after it and kept hitting it. We had several guys put it in play and hit it pretty hard. I know when we swing the bats well, especially with Jerod on the mound, we've got a pretty good shot."

Scott went 2-4 with a run while Chase Ferrell went 2-4 with two runs.

Jackson ended up with five RBIs. The grand slam was hit first home run of the season.

Droddy and Barker each had two RBIs.

Kimball and Trey Sullenger each led the Eagles with two hits apiece.

With the win, Sikeston assured itself of a championship night appearance. Even after a 5-8 start, Jones said he expected to Sikeston to right the ship eventually.

"I'm glad to see them turn it around and be competitive again," said Jones. "I knew that was going to happen. Sikeston's going to be Sikeston. Whoever said they're dropping off -- it's just not going to happen. The program is just too strong. It starts in little league, it's just a tremendous feeder program. You don't have the big names that you've heard of the last few years. But if this groups stays together, there will be a few names out of it.

"Our kids wanted this game so bad. That's all we've thought about after the Chaffee Tournament, looking forward to a game with Sikeston. We came out and we were pumped up and the adrenaline was just unbelievable. I think we overplayed and tried too hard."

NMCC was scheduled to play Chaffee on Saturday in the tournament. Results from that game will be in Monday's edition.

Sikeston 12, NMCC 2

Sikeston 000 75 -- 12 8 2

NMCC 011 00 -- 2 5 2

WP -- Jerod Scott

LP -- Thomas Higgerson

HR -- Josh Jackson

2B -- Chase Ferrell

Multiple Hitters -- Sikeston: Jerod Scott 2-4, Chase Ferrell 2-4. NMCC: Jordan Kimball 2-3, Trey Sullenger 2-2.

Records -- Sikeston 11-9. NMCC 7-6