Sikeston catcher Chase Ferrell checks on the runner at first base after forcing out Kennett's Cameron Wallace at the plate. Sikeston dropped the game in the 12th inning 4-3. (Josh Mills/Standard Democrat)

KENNETT -- The cards were dealt in the Sikeston Bulldogs opposing team's favor once again on Wednesday evening as they suffered their second consecutive defeat in the final at-bat of the game.

The Indians and the Bulldogs were dead-locked going into the 11th inning before either team scored, but it was Kennett who eventually came out on top, rallying to win in the 12th inning 4-3.

Sikeston's Garrett Limbaugh delivers a pitch in the bottom of the sixth inning on Wednesday afternoon. Limbaugh threw seven innings, allowing no runs on two hits and three strikeouts. (Josh Mills/Standard Democrat) [Click to enlarge]

Sikeston's Garrett Limbaugh was nearly flawless on the mound, carrying a no-hitter into the seventh inning when Austin Jackson led off the inning with a single for the Indians.

Limbaugh finished up the day going seven innings, giving up zero runs, two hits and one walk. He also hit a batter and struck out three.

"Garrett threw outstanding," said Sikeston head coach Kevin Self. "He threw well. I told him before we were getting on the bus, if you shut them out, we can't get beat. But, guess what, that was a lie. He shut them out and we still got beat, so, you never know."

Despite Limbaugh's performance, the Bulldog bats couldn't string together enough offense to award him with the victory in the seven innings he pitched.

It wasn't until the top of the 11th inning that Sikeston plated their first run, as Cody Anderson was plunked to start the rally.

With Anderson on first base, Stephen Beydler laid down a nice sacrifice bunt to put Anderson in scoring position.

Following a Matt Ritch intentional pass, Stan Ivie put the ball in play and the wheels started turning for the Bulldogs.

Anderson was running on the play and after the second baseman booted the ball, Ritch came into score right behind his teammate.

In the bottom half of the inning, Anderson was on the hill for Sikeston, recording the first out on a deep fly ball that center fielder Josh Pierce tracked down. Gage Blue singled, followed by Andy Lack who was hit by a pitch. Another walk loaded the bases, and with one out in the books, lead-off batter Cameron Wallace singled bringing in both runs to tie the game.

Kennett's No. 2 hitter Bo Smith then hit into what appeared to be the game-ending double-play, but the Bulldogs couldn't turn it cleanly, allowing the tying run to cross the plate.

"It was kind of a weird game," Self said. "We had the double-play ball to end the game and we couldn't make the play. It was tailor-made.

"Then we were caught off guard when that guy scored, and it was tied up," he went on to say. "We didn't make that play, (but) then we come back up and get another run with a two-out hit (and) we delivered."

Sikeston's Scott Droddy is tagged out in the top of the eighth inning by Kennett second baseman Andy Lack on an attempted steal. (Josh Mills/Standard Democrat) [Click to enlarge]

Self was speaking of the top of the 12th inning, where Chase Ferrell recorded his second double of the game, bringing in Seth Baker who had reached after being hit by a pitch.

In the bottom half of the 12th, Shane Branum reached on a walk, followed by a single by Nathan Henfling to put two runners aboard.

A wild pitch moved them both up, but the next two batters were retired putting all of the pressure on Blue with the Indian's backs to the wall. Blue delivered with a two-out single to center field which brought across one run easily, followed by the gamewinning run that just slipped under a tag by Ferrell at the plate.

"They had opportunities to beat us in the seventh or eighth inning, whatever it was," said Self after the game. "There were several opportunities and we were able to wiggle out. They got the hit when they needed it."

"We just can't seem to close out a game defensively," he went on to say. "That's a concern. It's a little more mental than it is anything. You've got to bear down for every out (and) you've got to get them all. You just can't give them anything."

Anderson was tagged with the loss, throwing 4 2-3 innings, giving up four runs on seven hits and six walks and a hit batter.

At the plate, Baker and Ferrell led the Bulldogs with two hits apiece. Baker finished 2-for-5 with a single and a double. He was also hit by a pitch and scored a run. Ferrell was 2-for-6 with two doubles and an RBI.

Picking up the win for the Indians was Branum, who threw just one inning, giving up one run on one hit and one hit batter.

Thomas Stillman started the game, throwing six innings and allowing no runs on two hits and two walks. Stillman recorded four strikeouts in six innings.

Blue was the big hitter for Kennett, going 2-for-6 on the day with two singles, including the game-winner in the bottom of the 12th inning. Blue had two RBI in the win.

Despite the loss, Self said that his club can take a lot from the game heading into Thursday's game against Jackson as well as Friday's against Notre Dame.

"Right now, anybody we play is a handful for us," said Self. "Even when we score a whole lot of runs, we give up a lot of runs. We're just looking for a way to get out of where we're at. We've had a couple of tough losses and hopefully it will build some character and make us better for the end of the year.

"These games are great to win if you can," he added. "But the one that counts is when you hit districts. The more games we play in extra innings, where the winning run is at third, can we throw strikes or can we make a play? That's (what is) going to help us in the end."