Sikeston advances

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston Ladies' Auxiliary Post 114 Junior Legion team stormed pasted Cape Junior Legion Post 63, 11-1 in five innings, on Thursday in second-round action of the district tournament at VFW Stadium.

Sikeston moves on in the double-elimination tournament and will face Twin Rivers, who defeated Dunklin County 2-0, on Saturday at 10 a.m.

Solid pitching by Sikeston starter Tyler Dame held Cape's bats at bay all game long. Dame, who pitched for Sikeston's junior varsity team last season, allowed only one run, four hits, walked three and struck out two in five innings of work.

"Tyler didn't have his best stuff today," said Sikeston manager Jeff Limbaugh. "I have seen him throw a lot better, but he allowed Cape only one run and four hits. He is a gutsy pitcher and wants the ball each and every time he gets the opportunity."

While Dame kept Cape's bats silent, the heavy-hitting Sikeston lineup was too much for Cape starter Dylan Schweer to handle.

Sikeston's Dylan Harris attempts to break up a double play throw.

Sikeston's Dylan Harris attempts to break up a double play throw.

Cody Anderson led off the game for Sikeston with a walk and the game went downhill from there for Post 63.

Bell City's Nick Niemcyzk followed Anderson with a single and Oran product Kody Campbell drove in Anderson with a solid single. Sikeston led 1-0 after one inning of play.

Sikeston pushed across two more runs in the second. Caleb Seyer led off the inning with a walk, stole second and reached third base on a balk. Niemcyzk drove in Seyer with a groundout.

Anderson induced another walk in the second inning and scored on an error by Cape's first baseman. Sikeston led 3-0 after two innings.

Post 114 broke the game wide open in the top of the third inning, as four Sikeston runners crossed the plate. Dame and Niemcyzk drove in a run each for Post 114, but the big blow came from Anderson who drove in two runs with a two-out single. After three innings, Sikeston led 7-0.

Sikeston's Tyler Dame delivers a pitch.

Sikeston's Tyler Dame delivers a pitch.

"We have some guys on this team that can really swing the bats," said Limbaugh. "My No. 9 hitter (Caleb Seyer) is an all-state catcher in Class 1 this season for Oran. Caleb is an excellent hitter and he just loves to hit in the nine hole. When we hit the ball, we can hit with anybody."

Sikeston put the game to rest in the top of the fifth, with the help of some misplays by the Cape squad. Sikeston scored a run in the inning on an error, a run scored on a bases loaded walk and two runs scored on wild pitches by Cape reliever Nick Allen.

Dame shut down Cape in the bottom of the fifth and the mercy rule took effect. Sikeston opened their district tournament play with a 11-1 win over Cape.

Sikeston gained the victory, but the club did not perform to its lofty expectations, said Limbaugh.

"It is hard to not be happy with a 10-run win over Cape Girardeau," said Limbaugh, "but we did not play up to our capabilities. However, any win against Cape is a big win. We swung the wood bats very well last weekend up in Carbondale (Ill.) and maybe we had a little letdown today."

Anderson led the way offensively for Sikeston in the No. 1 spot. He served as catalyst for Post 114 reaching base on all four plate appearances, with three walks, a single, scored three runs and had two RBIs.

Niemcyzk was solid in the two hole going 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Oran's Kody Campbell, New Madrid County Central's Dylan Harris and Sikeston products Nick Lambert and Dame each had one hit apiece to pace the attack for Post 114.

"Our hitting gets the attention," said Limbaugh, "but our defense is solid and we are very deep with quality pitchers. We have a good group of boys and everyone steps up when the time comes. The boys all like to play together and that makes it fun to coach."

Jake Valleroy, Alex Shell, Shawn Prince and Joe Uhls collected singles for Cape.

Cape will face Jackson today at 5 p.m. in an elimination game.

Sikeston (31-6) faces No. 2 seed Twin Rivers on Saturday at 10 a.m. in a matchup of the only two undefeated teams left in the tournament.

"Twin Rivers is a quality program," said Limbaugh. "They have a lot of boys that played on their high school team over there that made the quarterfinals in state. It is going to be a tough game and we have got to come prepared to play."