Sikeston closes regular season with 5-4 win over Cape

Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Sikeston second baseman Cody Rodgers takes a throw from a fellow infielder to force out Cape's John Young at first base Monday at VFW Stadium in Sikeston. (Brent Shipman/Standard Democrat)

sports@standard-democrat.com

SIKESTON -- A lot was on the line Monday afternoon when the Sikeston Silver Sox hosted Cape Ford and Sons for their regular season finale.

Not only did Sikeston have a chance to get back over the .500 mark on the season, but a win would give the Silver Sox the tie-breaker for the second seed in the upcoming district tournament.

Buoyed by bat and arm of starting pitcher Nathan Hampton the Silver Sox overcame a nearly devastating fourth inning for a 5-4 come-from-behind win.

Sikeston starting pitcher Nathan Hampton delivers a pitch against Cape Ford and Sons Monday at VFW Stadium in Sikeston.

"They knew a lot was on the line tonight with this game," Sikeston head coach Jacob May said of his team. "That gives Cape two losses in the district and we're tied with them for the two seed. One thing our guys have done all year long is no matter the circumstance, no matter how bad of an inning, they continue to fight."

After two first inning runs spotted Sikeston (12-10) the lead, the Silver Sox defense imploded for a stretch in the fourth that allowed Cape (17-14) to seize the lead.

With runners on first and third, a passed ball brought home Ford and Sons' first run, followed by a dropped pop up by the second baseman tying the game, 2-2.

Another two runs scored on passed balls, both with two outs, to give Cape a 4-2 advantage.

Sikeston didn't take long to start a comeback.

Trent Pobst stole third in the bottom of the fourth frame before being brought home by a sacrifice fly from Wyn Roberds to make it 4-3.

Back-to-back walks in the bottom of the fifth inning loaded the bases with one out. Though the Silver Sox couldn't capitalize fully on the opportunity, a walk to Josh Barber forced in the tying run.

Sikeston second baseman Cody Rodgers fields a pop up against Cape Monday at VFW Stadium in Sikeston.

"(In the fourth) I think our guys thought we had an out at the plate on one of those passed balls and it kind of got us down a little bit," May said. "A couple more errors in the field gave them a little momentum, but we came right back the next inning and put a run up to cut to a one-run (deficit).

"We gave ourselves a chance to be in the game at the end and win it."

After holding Cape scoreless in the top of the sixth inning Hampton was given the opportunity to win it for himself in the bottom of the inning.

With a runner at second, Hampton hit a line drive into the outfield that plated to retake the lead, 5-4, and give the Silver Sox three straight frames with one-run rallies.

"You tell your kids on the hill any chance you get to help yourself at the plate you need to do everything you can," May said. "Nathan stepped up big there on an 0-2 count on a fastball right down the middle. He put a good swing on it and put it in the gap and was able to score a run."

Ford and Sons didn't go down without a fight, putting the tying run on with one out in the seventh when the shortstop couldn't haul in a pop up to shallow left field.

An infield single followed to put the tying run on second and winning run on first. Before any damage could be done, however, Hampton induced a 6-4-3 double play to end the game.

"We were missing that one hit," Cape head coach Justin Lieser said. "I think we hit into three double plays. Two of them on hit and runs that just happened be dumb luck, but some times that's the way baseball is."

Ford and Sons outhit Sikeston 6-4 with Clayton Reynolds leading the way, going 2 of 2 with a walk and two doubles.

For Sikeston, Hampton was 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored.

Colton Hampton collected a single and walked twice while Trent Pobst doubled for Sikeston's only extra-base hit. Luke Williams and Roberds each singled.

Hampton went all seven innings on the mound to earn the win, allowing six hits and two walks on 111 pitches. Only one of his runs were earned as he struck out six and battled around seven Silver Sox errors.

"Nate is a very composed kid on the mound," May said. "He trusts everything he has and I have a lot of confidence in him, even with a high pitch I know he'll spot up and do the things he needs to do to keep himself in the game."

Added Lieser, "He's been tough on us. We got some guys on, but he really did a good job of battling when it came time.

"For him to pitch around (seven) errors and six hits and only give up four runs says a lot about him."

In a scheduled five inning contest later that night the Silver Sox won 8-2 in four innings when a lighting issue forced the game to be called.

Cape 000 400 0 - 4 6 1

Sikeston 200 111 x - 5 4 7

WP -- Nathan Hampton. LP -- Chase Hagerty. Multiple hitters: (C) Clayton Reynolds 2-2; (S) Nathan Hampton 2-4. 2B -- (C) Reynolds 2; (S) Trent Pobst.

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