Sikeston Junior Legion splits

SIKESTON -- Sikeston's Junior American Legion team scored in each inning in a 14-2 romp over De Soto on Tuesday at VFW Memorial Stadium in the first game of a doubleheader.

Leading 10-2, Post 114 scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to invoke the mercy-run rule.

"We had a tough weekend behind us in the Wood Bat Tournament and the guys were a little bit frustrated with our performance," said assistant coach Vince Howard, "so coach (Jeff) Limbaugh talked to them before the game, got 'em fired up and they got it going."

Sikeston won its first two games in the tournament at Cape Girardeau, then were eliminated with two straight losses.

Against De Soto, Tyler Baker blasted a home run over the left-centerfield wall to drive home pinch-runner Willie O'Guin in the first inning and send Post 114 up 2-0. O'Guin was running for Josh Jackson, who had singled.

Sikeston busted the game wide open in the second inning with seven runs after two were out.

A throwing error on a routine grounder by the De Soto third baseman opened the door to five consecutive Sikeston hits, the big blow a two-run homer off the bat of Cody Black. Starting and winning pitcher Andy Gantner hurled the first two scoreless innings, allowing only a bloop single.

Josh Jackson relieved Gantner to open the third inning. A misplayed two-out groundball to shortstop led to two unearned De Soto runs.

Sikeston countered with an unearned run of its own in the bottom of the third to take a 10-2 lead.

In the fourth, a leadoff walk to Baker, Gantner's basehit and a walk to Taylor White loaded the bases with one out. Paul Bucher singled home Baker, then Gantner scored on Chase Seyer's groundout. Thomas Higgerson doubled home White and Bucher scored on Colt Pruitt's single to left.

Jackson, who pitched a 1-2-3 fourth, gave way to Bucher in the top of the fifth.

Jackson gave up two hits in his two innings of work.

Bucher, aided by a tag out-throw out double play by second baseman Austin Williams, closed the door on De Soto with a hitless inning. He walked two.

Sikeston lost the second game of the doubleheader 12-3.

Sikeston Junior Legion moves its record to 15-12 on the season.

They will face district opponent Jackson in an away game on Thursday, then hosts Poplar Bluff on Monday.