Salem suffered its second straight loss, losing to Rolla 14-0 at home Thursday in a game shortened to five innings due to the mercy rule.
It was the regular-season finale for the Tigers, and both of the last two losses were by the five-inning rule. They lost to Union 11-1 Tuesday. Their only previous loss was to Licking, and the Tigers were undefeated in the SCA with a 7-0 mark.
Rolla jumped on the Tigers with eight runs in the third inning and six more in the fourth. As thunderstorms approached, the game ended with the Tigers' final out in the fifth.
Salem entered Tuesday 16-1 overall and ranked ninth in the most recent Missouri Baseball Coaches Association poll.
The Tigers begin play in the District 9 tournament Friday. Salem is the No. 2 seed behind Jefferson City's Helias Catholic, 14-5 and ranked No. 7 in the MBCA poll.
Sullivan will play host to the district tournament. St. James (13-5, No. 4 seed) and Southern Boone (No. 5, 10-9) open the tournament 2 p.m. Friday. Salem and Owensville (No. 7, 8-8) play at 4:30 p.m., and Blair Oaks (No. 3, 16-8) and Sullivan (No. 6, 13-6) play at 7 p.m.
The semifinals are Saturday, with Helias getting a bye and playing the St. James vs. Southern Boone winner at 2 p.m. The winners of the Salem-Owensville and Blair Oaks-Sullivan game play at 4:30 p.m. The final is 5 p.m. May 16.
