No. 4 Top Story: Defeating North County

Sunday, June 27, 2004
Blake DeWitt is congratulated after hitting a grand slam.

FARMINGTON - Fans had waited two years to see the Sikeston and North County baseball teams meet up again.

The wait was well worth it.

After being postponed for a day due to rain, the game was finally going to be played at Farmington's Wilson-Rozier Park.

Sikeston, ranked No. 1 in Class 3, fell behind against the No. 2 ranked Raiders after a three-run home run by Dusty Aubuchon in the top of the fourth inning.

But in a way that seems like it was scripted in Hollywood, Sikeston superstar Blake DeWitt launched a grand slam to take the lead and eventually the game, 4-3.

DeWitt ended up as the winning pitcher on the mound, surviving one last scare as North County all-stater Adam Howard's deep flyball was caught against the wall by Eric Chappell for the final out.

The game had a little bit of everything and in the end, fans will remember it as an "instant classic." Many called it the greatest game they had ever seen.

The Bulldogs went on to defeat Herculaneum in the quarterfinal 10-6 to advance to the final four for the third time in four years.

But the Bulldogs' state championship hopes ended in the semifinals in another memorable game, falling to Ozark 2-1. The Bulldogs missed tying the game by a half-step on a close play at first base.

Sikeston settled for third place with an 11-7 win against Grain Valley to finish 27-2.

-- Derek James

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