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Cardinals top Nicaragua, Arenado blasts grand slam in WBC preps

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JUPITER, Fla. – World Baseball Classic teams are gearing up for the tournament’s start this weekend, including exhibition matchups against the St. Louis Cardinals and many other MLB spring squads.

A late rally sparked the St. Louis Cardinals to a comeback against Team Nicaragua on Thursday. Within moments of the victory, three time zones west, Nolan Arenado packed a punch early with a grand slam for Team USA’s scrimmage against the Los Angeles Angels.

For the Cardinals, a matchup against Nicaragua was a unique opportunity to welcome international competition, though they didn’t want to treat it differently than any other spring game.

“It’ll be a lot of fun, but we’re focused on our guys,” said manager Oli Marmol. “I think it’s a great experience for everybody, the fans. But at the end of the day, we’re still looking at our guys. We have a lot of decisions to make.”

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“It’s an exciting time of year when everyone’s representing their country,” said shortstop Paul DeJong. “We’re happy to represent the Cardinals, while the rest of the guys are gone. It’s another game for us, we’re just looking to win.”

The Cardinals jumped to a 2-0 lead early, scoring twice in a two-out rally behind an Andrew Knizner single and a Nicaragua error.

Dakota Hudson, battling for possible rotation duties, worked four scoreless innings and struck out two. Hudson got himself into a jam in the first-inning, allowing two walks and a hit, though finished his day unscathed with 65 pitches.

“A lot of close calls, but I feel like I’m ticking in the right direction,” said Hudson. “Anytime I can leave the game with zeros is good. I felt like I slowed down a little more today from the last couple of outings.”

Masyn Winn stayed hot with at least one hit for the eighth time in nine spring contests. Willson Contreras played six innings behind the plate and scored twice. St. Louis tacked on another run in the third inning from a Scott Hurst single.

Team Nicaragua kept close and answered with a three-run sixth innings. Jordan Hicks struggled with command that frame, throwing only 12 strikes on 26 pitches. Nicaragua briefly pulled ahead in the seventh inning behind a go-ahead single from Alex Blandino, one of few of their guys with MLB experience.

Tink Hence worked a scoreless inning, setting the tone for the Cardinals to strike back. Kramer Robertson tied the game on an opposite-field single. Jeremy Rivas delivered the game-winning hit with a two-run base knock. Drew VerHagen closed the door for his first spring save.

In the West Coast, Team USA is still battling the Angels in its second exhibition matchup. Nolan Arenado delivered a grand slam in the third inning.

Though Team USA dropped its previous exhibition Wednesday, the Cardinals have provided encouraging starts. Paul Goldschmidt drove in the lone run on a solo home run. Miles Mikolas surrendered two runs over 2.2 innings, but prevented some major rallies.

As Team USA embarks its journey, top Cardinals prospects like Jordan Walker have earned more opportunities to play. He was rested Thursday, but enjoys following the World Baseball Classic action.

“Ever since they announced that was going to happen, it’s been a lot of excitement,” said Walker. “Having some of our guys play for USA, Canada, Korea, Japan, it’s actually really cool. To play one of those teams before the WBC [Nicaruaga], I’m looking for a good little matchup.”

RELATED – Cardinals react to pitch clock, other changes ahead of 2023 season

Walker, knocking on the door for a 2023 MLB debut, says he hopes to participate in a future World Baseball Classic tournament if the opportunity calls.

“At somepoint, when I establish myself a little more,” said Walker. “Right now, I’m focused on trying to get to the big leagues first, but maybe later in my career I can.”

Team USA will officially kick off its WBC tournament schedule on Saturday. Fans can watch the game on FOX 2 at 8 p.m. CT.

As for the Cardinals, Grapefruit League games resume Friday with a home nightcap against the New York Mets. St. Louis is 7-4 in Grapefruit League action nearly two weeks into spring games.

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Man attacks Jeff Co. deputy with screwdriver during attempted arrest

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JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. – Two people are behind bars after a man reportedly attacked a Jefferson County deputy with a screwdriver during an attempted arrest over the weekend.

Prosecutors have charged Nicholas Davis, 47, and Amanda Davis, 45, of Dittmer, Missouri, with felonies in the investigation.

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The alleged attack followed a traffic stop of a driver in the 9500 block of Jones Creek Road on July 7, though the driver was not Nicholas or Amanda.

According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, Nicholas reportedly came out of his nearby home, yelled at a deputy and started approaching him while holding a screwdriver. The deputy initially ordered Nicholas to back away, then used pepper spray.

Per court documents, the deputy attempted to arrest Nicholas, who then struck him in the chest with the screwdriver. Amanda reportedly approached the deputy and pulled him away from Nicholas before both ran inside their home.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says the situation prompted an hours-long standoff involving negotiators, a SWAT team and a K-9 deputy. The situation led to Nicholas refusing warnings and being bitten by a K-9.

Nicholas and Amanda are both jailed in the Jefferson County Jail without bond. Nicholas is charged with first-degree assault on a special victim and armed criminal action. Amanda is charged with resisting/interfering with arrest.

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St. Louis Public Schools superintendent to be sworn in

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ST. LOUIS — The new St. Louis schools superintendent will be officially sworn into office today. Dr. Keisha Scarlett took over the job in July after the retirement of Dr. Kelvin Adams. She was assistant superintendent in the Seattle Public School District. The installation ceremony is at 6:15 p.m. before the regular school board meeting.

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Gas tanker crashes into St. Louis Metro transit center

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ST. LOUIS — A gasoline tanker truck crashed into a Metro transit center near Riverview and Hall Streets early Tuesday morning and knocked over a power pole. The pole is leaning on other power lines. Police have the area blocked off here because there is a downed power line. Ameren and Metro crews are also on the scene.

The incident happened around 12:30 a.m. It’s still unclear exactly what caused the crash, but we do that there was a second vehicle somehow involved. The airbags on that second vehicle did deploy.

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Police at the scene have not been able to give us a lot of details. Metro officials tell FOX 2 that the transit center here is operating this morning for passengers and buses. Access to certain areas will be limited here as clean up unfolds.

A Metro spokesperson says half of the station isn’t being used right now because of safety issues. It isn’t impacting overall bus operations, everything is just happening on the other side of transit center.

The extent of the damage to the actual transit center is still unclear, but I’m told it does not appear to be extreme. A Metro spokesperson tells me there were no injuries to any metro workers or passengers. The tanker driver also was not injured.

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