Dodgers down district foe Scott County

SENATH, Mo. -- The Dunklin County Post 303 Senior American Legion baseball team has had a theme of change this season -- several new faces, new uniforms and even a new team nickname -- the Dodgers.

However, one thing still looks to be the same: Post 303 will be in the thick of the District XIV race.

The Dodgers scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning -- all with two out -- to take a 7-3 win over Scott County Post 369 here Tuesday night in the District XIV opener for both teams.

In the nightcap -- which does not count in league standings -- Scott County won by the same 7-3 score.

Still, Dunklin County (7-7, 1-0 XIV) got the all-important victory in the opener.

"That's a big win for us," Dunklin County manager Jamie Johnson said. "Scott County's got a strong ballclub and they're going to be tough at the end."

With two out and the score tied at 3-3 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Garrett Stockton walked, took second on a wild pitch, then stole third and ran all the way home when the throw was wild.

"Garrett did a great job," said Johnson. "He read the third baseman's back, got the steal and the go-ahead run. Great job by him."

Stockton's run seemed to open the floodgates for the Dodgers. Heath Horvath walked, Dustin Hunter singled and Dylan Stockton was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Austin Jackson then singled home Horvath and Hunter to make it a 6-3 game. The next batter, Aaron McCaig, followed up with a single to drive in Dylan Stockton and cap the rally.

After Post 369 (4-2-1, 0-1) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, Dunklin County tied the game in the bottom of the third when Garrett Stockton came home on a fielder's choice.

The Dodgers took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning when Garrett Stockton singled home Shane Branum, and Stockton later scored on Hunter's base hit to left to make it a 3-1 game.

Garrett Stockton finished the day with three runs scored, walking three times and getting a RBI single in his lone official at-bat.

"For a 15-year-old, he does an outstanding job in the leadoff role," Johnson said. "He's still learning and we hope he just keeps improving."

Scott County did not give up, cutting the lead to 3-2 when Kody Campbell singled to drive in Josh Henson and tying the game at 3-3 when Blake Dirnberger doubled to score Campbell.

Hunter got the win on the mound, scattering eight hits and one walk while striking out four in tossing a complete game.

"Dusty's been throwing the baseball well," said Johnson. "To win the first conference game, that's a big win for us."

Hunter was also 3-for-4 with a RBI at the plate to pace the Dunklin County offense.

In the nightcap, Henson pitched Post 369 to victory, while Levi Felter paced the attack with four hits.

The Dodgers host Poplar Bluff today at 4 p.m. before taking on District XIV foe Jackson on Saturday afternoon.

Notes: This is the first year that Dunklin County's Senior Legion team has had a nickname. The Junior Legion team has been known as the Redbirds for several years. ... In other District XIV action Tuesday, Jackson defeated Cape Girardeau 7-2 in the first game. Cape won the non-district nightcap 14-13.