The Festus Tigers, the top-seeded team in the Class 4 District 2 tournament at Seckman High, lived up to expectations with a 14-4 win over Northwest in the district final on Wednesday (May 16). After falling behind 2-0 early, Festus erupted for seven runs in the second inning, highlighted by Caleb Wilkerson’s two-run triple and a two-run homer by Mitch Lovelace. That was all the offense Tiger starting pitcher Nathan Lambert needed as Festus won its 12th straight game and improved to 21-5 while Northwest finished 10-19. The Lions had knocked off two higher-seeded teams, No. 3 Seckman and No. 2 Windsor, to reach the championship game while Festus downed Oakville and Mehlville. Festus will play District 1 champion Cape Girardeau Central (11-14) in a sectional game May 22. Festus beat Cape Central 10-6 at Cape Girardeau back on April 10. (Matt O’Harver photo: A smiling reception committee greets Mitch Lovelace, right, at home plate after his two-run homer added to the lead for Festus.)
