Sikeston pitcher Garrett Limbaugh appears to tag Dunklin County's Dustin Hunter in the second inning Tuesday night at VFW Stadium. Hunter was ruled safe on the play. (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)

By Chris Pobst ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com

SIKESTON -- It was a rather lopsided victory for Dunklin County at VFW Memorial Stadium during Sr. Legion action on Tuesday night, as Sikeston Post 114 fell 14-3 in a shortened five-inning rout.

Dunklin County exploded with 10 runs in the top of the second inning on five hits which may have been aided by a controversial call that happened down the first base line.

A swinging bunt by Dustin Hunter went rolling up the first base line and was picked up by Sikeston's starter Garrett Limbaugh. Limbaugh proceeded to what seemed to be an applied tag on Hunter's back as he ran by, but was ruled safe on the play. A run was scored on the play as well.

"We had the call that didn't go our way, and it seemed like right after that, we were struggling to get outs," Sikeston assistant coach Jeff Limbaugh said. "Right after that, they scored eight runs, but we have to overlook that stuff. Most of these guys are graduated and on their way to college and they have to get over some of these bad calls."

After the play, Dunklin County scored eight more runs to make it a 12-2 game and knocked out Limbaugh to give way to Josh Jackson for the rest of the game.

Even though it may have been a momentum shift, Limbaugh felt like an experienced team like Sikeston has should have found a way to overcome the situation.

"They have to take it on themselves to try and get out of that inning," said Limbaugh. "In the game of baseball, nobody will feel sorry for you, especially in senior Legion and against a good team like Dunklin County. They take advantage of opportunities and it's our job to get them out. That was one bad inning for us, for sure."

Three doubles after the play by Dunklin County also was a huge lift to their big inning.

Sikeston's Seth Baker comes off the bag to catch the ball at first base while Dunklin County's Kaleb Canoy reaches first safely in the second inning. (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat) [Click to enlarge]

Dylan Stockton hit the first two-run double to left field that was immediately followed by another double by Aaron McCaig that scored Stockton. Later in the inning, Garet Stockton drove in two runs with the third double of the inning, but the runs scored were unearned.

"Any call can switch a game," Dunklin County head coach Jamie Johnson said. "It can change momentum. We got the call and that helped us and it led to a bigger inning. They may get the call next time but, that's just kind of the way it goes."

After the 10-run inning by Dunklin County, Josh Pierce made it a nine-run deficit with an RBI single to right field. But, Dunklin County earned that run right back in the third inning and gained another in the fifth on a RBI single from Ben Smith and an unearned run scored by McCaig.

The winning pitcher on the mound for Dunklin County was Shane Branum. He threw all five innings allowing three runs, two earned, on four hits, six walks and five strikeouts.

"Shane threw OK," Johnson said about his hurler. "He had some trouble with his control tonight, which pushed his pitches up a little bit but, he's thrown the ball well for us all summer. He relies a lot on his control and his breaking ball and some nights it's just not as good as others."

Dylan Stockton led the offensive attack for Dunklin County with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate with 2 RBIs. McCaig went 2-for-4 with a double and 2 RBIs, while Hunter also went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Garet Stockton and Aaron Booker each went 1-for-4 with an RBI with Booker connecting for a double in his at-bat.

Sikeston was led by Josh Pierce, who went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Seth Baker and Tyler Scott each connected for one hit a piece.

Garrett Limbaugh picked up the loss in 1 2/3 innings pitched. Limbaugh gave up 10 runs, eight earned, on six hits and four walks. Jackson relieved him for the rest of the game and gave up four runs, two earned, on five hits, one walk and four strikeouts.

"We don't have a lot of pitching," Limbaugh said. "They didn't pound the ball on us but, we made some errors and some walks. We only have 10 guys here and two of them are pitchers. Dunklin County is good. They're probably one of the better teams in our district and it's just tough to play them shorthanded. They're good, but, we didn't play our best and there's no doubt there."

Sikeston will try and rebound in their next game when they host Ste. Genevieve today at 6:30 p.m.