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Unit 114 rallies past Dunklin County in extra innings
KENNETT -- The Dunklin County Redbirds could easily be 4-0 in District XIV.
Instead, they're 1-3 at the district season's midway point.
The Redbirds took a three-run lead to the seventh inning, but could not hold it in an 11-8, eight-inning loss to Sikeston Auxiliary Unit 114 in Junior American Legion baseball Monday at Indian Park.
The loss ends a stretch where Dunklin County (16-11) had won five of its last six games, including winning the BankStar of the Bootheel Classic over the weekend.
"That's the third conference game we feel like we've just kind of (given) away," Dunklin County coach Aaron New said Monday. "I thought the kids were playing hard tonight -- we just made a few mistakes when you can't make mistakes. Give Sikeston credit -- they capitalized on every mistake we made."
Sikeston (13-10, 2-3 district) trailed 7-4 entering the top of the seventh inning, but got back-to-back hits by Timmy Hart and Darrin Dicus to chase Redbirds' starter Brandon Quillin.
Reliever Clayton Gibbons then struck out Jason Isaacs, but singles by Michael Brown and Tyler Selvig and a groundout by Stephen Beydler tied the game at 7-all.
After holding Dunklin County scoreless in the bottom of the seventh, Sikeston took command in the top of the eighth. Pitcher Charlie Bohannon led off with a triple, then scored the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly to leftfield by Caleb Davidson.
However, back-to-back errors prolonged the inning and allowed Sikeston to score three more runs and effectively ice the game. The Redbirds scored once in the bottom of the eighth and had the tying run at the plate to end the game, but Bohannon quelled the threat.
One major factor for Unit 114 Monday was its top four hitters, who were 12-
for-17 (.706) with nine runs scored, four stolen bases and two doubles.
"The top of their order can really swing the bats," said New. "They hurt us tonight. We still felt like we put ourselves in a situation to win the game. We just couldn't get them out when we had to. Give the top of their order credit and give their team credit for battling and winning."
Dunklin did some battling of its own, rallying from an early 4-1 deficit to take a 7-4 lead.
Quillin drilled a two-run double in the bottom of the fourth inning to score Heath Horvath and Austin Jackson to cut the Sikeston lead to 4-3, then Horvath added a two-run single to rightfield in the bottom of the fifth that scored Andy Lack and Cameron Wallace to put the 'Birds up 5-4.
Two batters later, Jackson then hit a grounder to second that plated Bo Smith, and Horvath came home on an error to cap the rally.
Horvath and Wallace each had two hits to pace Dunklin County's nine-hit attack, while Horvath and Quillin each had two RBIs.
Michael Brown was 4-for-4 with three RBIs for Unit 114, while Hart and Isaacs each had three hits and the duo of Dicus and Selvig each had two safeties. Selvig also drove in a pair of runs.
The Redbirds look to get back on the winning track Wednesday with a doubleheader at South Pemiscot.
"We played really well this weekend," New said. "For the most part, the guys have been playing well. It just seems like in the district games, we just (make) a couple of mistakes at the wrong time and other teams have made us pay for it.
"Hopefully that's something we can get corrected in the second time through. We may sweep out and get a decent seed headed into the district tournament."
Notes: Monday's game was originally scheduled as a doubleheader, but rain and the threat of inclement weather canceled the second game. The first game was also delayed because of rain. ... Sikeston outhit Dunklin County, 15-9. Both teams committed a total of nine errors -- five by the Redbirds, four by Post 114.
Sikeston defeated Farmington, 13-2 on Father's Day.
Timmy Hart was the winning pitcher, throwing all seven innings and striking out nine.
Unit 114 collected 12 hits led by Hart's four hits.
Jason Isaacs and Charlie Bohannon each had two hits.
Sikeston will host Farmington tomorrow at 6 p.m.
Unit 114 will host Cape Junior Legion Thursday at 6 p.m. and Scott County Friday at 6 p.m. Both games are doubleheaders.