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Thursday, November 20, 2008

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Softball Kelly trio earns all-state honors (11/09/08) BENTON -- It's a very impressive feat when you can have a representative from a team be named as an All-State selection. What's even more impressive is when a team can say they have three All-State selections. None other than the Kelly Lady Hawks can now say the latter... Second Place: Lady Hawks fall short in search for state championship (10/27/08) ST. JOSEPH -- Five runs on nine hits provided just enough offense to end the Kelly Lady Hawks' season on Saturday afternoon, but the Class 2 runner-up squad didn't go home feeling as if an entire 23-5 season was a loss. "What a way to go out," said Kelly head coach Rhonda Ratledge following the Class 2 championship game. "Any team in the state of Missouri would trade places with us right now. That's what I told the girls, 'There's no reason to hang your heads.' We'll take second place."... Kelly to play for state title (10/26/08) ST. JOSEPH -- The Kelly Lady Hawks have returned to the state championship game on the softball diamond. A 3-1 victory over the Marion C. Early Lady Panthers on a chilly Friday morning at Heritage Park in St. Joseph has given the Lady Hawks a chance to add more hardware to the trophy case at Thomas W. Kelly High School... Soaring high: Lady Hawks play through adversity (10/23/08) BENTON -- Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines adversity as a state, condition or instance of serious or continued difficulty. This is a word that the Kelly Lady Hawks know all too well. During the past few seasons, there have been multiple injuries to some players that have threatened not only their ability to play softball, but also their ability to perform everyday tasks... State softball (10/22/08) Unbeaten Notre Dame (Class 3) joins Class 2 Kelly this weekend in St. Joseph for quests to bring state championships back to Southeast Missouri. Both programs placed third last year. Notre Dame, a perennial final four team in recent years, puts its perfect record (27-0) on the line in the hunt for its first state crown... Unfinished business (10/22/08) BENTON -- For the second consecutive season, the Kelly Lady Hawks are heading to the Final Four in softball. The Lady Hawks have a record of 22-4 on the season as they head into their Friday morning contest with the Marion C. Early Lady Panthers. The Lady Panthers ride into St. Joseph with a 21-8 record... Lady Bulldogs unable to fight off NMCC (10/20/08) ORAN -- The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs volleyball team took second place in the SEMO conference tournament as they fell to New Madrid County Central 19-25, 26-24,26-24 Saturday in Oran. Sikeston was able to advance to the championship game with a 25-16,25-15 win over the Charleston Lady Bluejays in the semifinals... Learning curve: Kelly ousts youthful Royals in softball sectional (10/15/08) Twin Rivers' bats stay cold in Class 2 state playoff loss. Twin Rivers faces Kelly in softball playoffs (10/14/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Twin Rivers will be facing what many consider perennial royalty this afternoon. The Lady Royals will face Kelly, which finished third at state last year, in the MSHSAA Sectional game at 4 p.m. today in Benton and know they will have to be sharp... Lady Hawks win 24th district title (10/13/08) BENTON -- The Kelly Lady Hawks softball team and district titles go hand-in-hand. The Lady Hawks hoisted their 24th district championship trophy on Saturday by defeating the Crystal City Lady Hornets 10-1. This also improves an already impressive streak that Kelly has built within those years. For 22 out of 23 seasons, the Lady Hawks have been able to call themselves district champions... Cape Central rallies past Mules in 11th inning (10/12/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer This time, déjâ vu had a different ending for the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules. After winning an 11-inning affair earlier in the year against Cape Central, the Lady Mules had the tables turned as Central scored a run in the bottom of the 11th to win 6-5 and advance to the MSHSAA Class 4 District 1 title game at Bacon Park... Reclaiming Royalty: Twin Rivers wins district, returns to sectional round (10/12/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Twin Rivers is known for solid pitching and sound defense, two things they needed Friday. The Lady Royals turned a double play for the last two outs to beat Thayer 3-2 and earn their first MSHSAA Class 2 District 1 district title since 2006 at Rains Field... Eighth graders slip past Poplar Bluff; freshmen fall (10/10/08) SIKESTON -- The eighth grade Sikeston Bulldog football team defeated the Poplar Bluff Mules 18-13 Thursday night in Sikeston. "The eighth grade played pretty well tonight against the toughest team we've played all year," junior high football coach Brett Blackman said... ROUNDUP: Kennett stops Poplar Bluff rally (10/07/08) By DAR STAFF KENNETT -- The Poplar Bluff soccer team was shorthanded Monday night against the Kennett Indians, but nearly came away with one. The Indians broke a 2-2 tie with two minutes to go as Blake Willbanks scored to lift Kennett to the win, 3-2... Fire starter: Twin Rivers' Vancil tries to turn up heat in postseason (10/07/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Twin Rivers' Carlee Vancil is on a mission to reclaim royalty. After winning the district tournament as a sophomore, Vancil and the Lady Royals were eliminated last season by East Carter. This year, the Lady Royals will face either Alton or Greenville after getting a bye in the first round of the MSHSAA Class 2 District 1 tournament at Three Rivers' Rains Field... Twin Rivers, East Carter not looking too far ahead (10/07/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Lady Royals' memories haven't faded from a season ago. Twin Rivers remembers all too well the loss in the district title game to East Carter. This year, the Royals are the top-seeded team and East Carter got the bye on the other side as No. 2... Poplar Bluff tries to avoid bad frame in softball playoffs (10/07/08) By BRIAN ROSENER ~ DAR Sports Editor For the Poplar Bluff softball team to make a run at the MSHSAA Class 4 District 1 title this week, the Lady Mules have a simple formula -- stay away from "that one bad inning." More then half of Poplar Bluff's 83 runs allowed this season have come in just 12 innings, and the Lady Mules (13-9) are 4-7 in games which they allow three or more runs in a single frame... Naylor wants elusive crown in Class 1 District 1 softball (10/07/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ Sports Writer The Naylor Lady Eagles are hoping to use last fall as motivation. Naylor lost to Oran in the Class 1 District 1 final and will play sixth-seed Van Buren at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Delta. "We have lost the district 2-1 two years in a row," Naylor coach Gene Deckard said. "They really want district bad and it is competitive."... Lady Bulldogs finish up with 14 wins on diamond (10/07/08) KENNETT-- The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs softball team defeated the Kennett Lady Indians 3-1 in eight innings of play to wrap up their regular season Monday afternoon in Kennett. The Lady Bulldogs were once again led by Sarah Hopson on the mound and Mary Deason at the plate... Lady Hawks riding momentum into the district tournament (10/07/08) BENTON -- The last game of the regular season for the Kelly Lady Hawks meant that it was a special day for the senior class on the softball team. Luckily for them, they pulled out a close 3-2 win on the field on Monday afternoon against Jackson to finish their final regular season... Clearwater closes out run of OFC baseball (10/05/08) By DAR STAFF PIEDMONT -- The Clearwater Tigers are bringing a little bit of momentum into this week's Ozark Foothills Conference tournament after they beat Greenville Friday afternoon, 16-6, in six innings. After Clearwater got off to a 4-0 start through the first two innings, the Bears didn't back down as they got their first of two three-run home runs on the day. ... Scales tosses no-no, Lady Tribe sweeps (10/03/08) After dropping three games in eight days, the Kennett Lady Indians softball team needed to get back on the winning track. Mission accomplished. Playing a pair against the East Prairie Lady Eagles, the Lady Tribe got a no-hitter from Laurel Scales in a 7-0 Game 1 victory, then rolled to an 11-1 rout in the nightcap Thursday at Indian Park... ROUNDUP: Redbirds edge Naylor in eighth (10/01/08) By DAR STAFF ELLSINORE -- East Carter rallied with six runs in the fourth inning before getting one in the eighth to move past Naylor 7-6 on Tuesday afternoon. Derek Saffle hit a grounder to third base that scored Austin Stephens to give the Redbirds the win... Poplar Bluff connects, knocks off Kelly (10/01/08) By BRIAN ROSENER ~ DAR Sports Editor Facing the same hard-throwing Kelly pitcher that shut them out with a one-hitter a week earlier, the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules kept their winning streak alive with a 6-3 win Tuesday. Jerica Wawak's RBI single broke a 3-3 tie before a two-out, tworun single by Breanna Moore in the fourth inning for the Lady Mules, who have won three straight and eight of their last 10... Sikeston soccer and tennis teams fall (10/01/08) JACKSON -- The Sikeston Bulldog soccer team fell to 2-12 on the season with a 4-0 loss to the Jackson Indians on Tuesday. A breakdown in the second half was the back-breaker for the Bulldogs in an otherwise tight first half. It was 1-0 Jackson at half time but three goals in a span of five minutes proved to much for the visiting Bulldogs... Hopson, Lady Bulldogs cruise past East Carter (10/01/08) SIKESTON-- The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs softball team downed the East Carter County Lady Redbirds 10-0 in five innings at the Sikeston Complex Tuesday afternoon to move to a record of 11-8 for the season. Pitcher Sarah Hopson led the way for the Lady Bulldogs pitching four hitless innings with four strikeouts and going 3-for-4 with an RBI at the plate Tuesday afternoon... ROUNDUP: Puxico volleyball rallies past Bloomfield (09/30/08) By DAR STAFF After dropping their first match Monday night, the Puxico Indians bounced back to beat Bloomfield, 21-25, 25-20, 25-22. "The first one they were a little bit down," Puxico coach Karen Hazel said. "They picked it up though. They were determined."... Lady Mules tennis team preparing for district play (09/30/08) By BRIAN ROSENER ~ DAR Sports Editor With the MSHSAA district tournament looming, the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules tennis team started the final week of the regular season with a day off. Facing a Caruthersville team that featured only three players, the varsity team watched their teammates sweep the Lady Tigers... ROUNDUP: East Carter holds back Neelyville on softball (09/28/08) By DAR STAFF ELLSINORE -- East Carter got three runs in the second inning and held on to beat Neelyville 3-1 on Friday after noon. Laura Nance had a triple and a run scored in the win while Courtney Newman pitched seven innings and gave up just three hits for the Lady Redbirds (7-6) ... ROUNDUP: Poplar Bluff wins volleyball battle of Mules (09/23/08) By DAR STAFF BERNIE -- Six different players had two or more kills for Poplar Bluff and the Lady Mules combined for 13 blocks in a 25-16, 25-20 win Monday night at Bernie. "A true team effort," Lady Mules volleyball coach Mike Berry said. Blake Talkington led Poplar Bluff (8-6) with five kills, while Jamie Fritts added four kills and three solo blocks and five block assists... Defensive gem lifts Poplar Bluff softball (09/23/08) Brandy Perry tosses 3-hit shutout in 4-0 win against Kennett. Jackson hands Sikeston loss on diamond (09/23/08) JACKSON -- The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs softball team dropped a close one on Monday afternoon on the road to the Jackson Lady Indians, 2-0. The two runs were unearned, one coming in the second inning and the other in the third. Sarah Hopson was handed the loss as she lasted all seven innings. Hopson walked two and struck out three while only giving up three hits... Poplar Bluff volleyball falls in tourney semifinals (09/21/08) By DAR STAFF PIEDMONT -- The Poplar Bluff Lady Mules volleyball team advanced to the semifinals of the Clearwater Invitational on Saturday, but came up short with a 25-22, 25-14 loss to Eminence. After a close score in the first game against the Redwings, the Lady Mules fell behind 9-0 in the second game and were unable to battle back... Kelly eases past East Prairie (09/19/08) BENTON-- The Kelly Lady Hawks softball team improved to a record of 11-1 with a 10-0 win over the Lady Eagles of East Prairie Thursday in Benton. Pitcher Jessica Riley and the Kelly defense played solid Thursday, stifling East Prairie's offensive efforts... Poplar Bluff softball rallies past Doniphan (09/18/08) By DAR STAFF The Poplar Bluff Lady Mules needed a rally Wednesday afternoon and they got one, scoring a run in the fifth and another in the bottom of the seventh to beat Doniphan, 3-2. "That one bad inning, today it was better," Poplar Bluff coach Dusty Benson said. "Our one bad inning only allowed one run a piece instead of four or five as it has in the past."... Lady Bulldogs breeze through East Prairie with victory (09/18/08) EAST PRAIRIE -- The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs handled business on Wednesday afternoon as they traveled to East Prairie, defeating the Lady Eagles 17-0 in five innings. For Sikeston, it was a display of offense as they rattled off 14 hits in four innings at the dish, chipping in nine walks as well... ROUNDUP: Clearwater rallies with 12-run inning to beat Van Buren 15-14 (09/17/08) By DAR STAFF VAN BUREN -- The Clearwater Lady Tigers scored a dozen runs in the sixth inning and held on for a 15-14 win Tuesday over Van Buren. It was Clearwater's first win of the season. "We showed a lot of heart by not quitting," Clearwater coach Shannon England said... Poplar Bluff earns split with Jackson in softball (09/17/08) Brandy Perry throws four-hit shutout Lady Mules hold back Farmington in softball (09/16/08) By DAR STAFF FARMINGTON -- Ashlee Mattox scored once and drove in a pair of runs Monday to help the Poplar Bluff softball team beat Farmington 5-4. The Lady Mules (7-6) held on to win for the fifth time in their last six games. Poplar Bluff led by five before Farmington scored four in the sixth inning... Clearwater's Logan Morris no-hits Twin Rivers (09/16/08) By DAR STAFF Logan Morris was dominant from start to finish Monday afternoon, as he allowed no hits in a 10-0 win over Twin Rivers. "Logan has had a really dominating fall," Clearwater coach Joe McCallister said. "He has had really good command. Right now, he is doing all the things I'm asking him to do, pitching well and getting ahead in the count, using his breaking ball at the right time."... Lady Hawks rattle bats in late innings for win (09/16/08) BENTON -- For most of the season, the Kelly Lady Hawks have scored late in a game but have managed to pick up wins on the softball diamond. On Monday, they continued their habit of waiting as they waited until the fourth inning to rattle the bats, but they proved victorious over the Delta Lady Bobcats 9-1... Lady Royals take rematch with East Carter (09/14/08) By DAR STAFF There wasn't 45-combined strikeouts this time around but there was the same result, as the Twin Rivers Lady Royals beat East Carter 7-0 on Friday. The previous meeting between the two teams back on Aug. 28 saw Twin Rivers' Carlee Vancil strike out 25 and Courtney Newman fanned 20... Lady Mules softball evens season record in tournament (09/14/08) By DAR STAFF WEST PLAINS -- At the West Plains softball tournament, all Poplar Bluff head coach Dusty Benson wanted was to get his team back at .500 on the season. He got his wish as the Lady Mules went 3-1 on the afternoon and played very well offensivley to even their season record at 6-6... Thompson nets goal, assist in Mules victory (09/12/08) By DAR STAFF FREDERICKTOWN -- The Poplar Bluff Mules soccer team grabbed its second win of season with a 3-1 victory Thursday night at Fredericktown. Dallas Berry scored his first goal of the season on a header off an assist by Josh Thompson. The Mules took a 2-0 lead into half after Fredericktown scored on its own goal later in the first half... Redbirds, Royals roll in OFC baseball action (09/12/08) By DAR STAFF ELLSINORE -- The Redbirds erupted for 11 runs in the final two innings of a 14-4 win over Greenville on Thursday. Derek Saffle led the Redbirds with two hits and four RBIs while Dan Stromat added two RBIs. Stromat threw the complete game for East Carter as he had four strikeouts and just one earned run in the win... Late surge lifts Naylor over Donettes (09/12/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer DONIPHAN -- Naylor's Chelsea Lane likes playing Doniphan and it showed Thursday afternoon. Lane had nine strikeouts and allowed just one run as the Lady Eagles moved past the Donettes, 7-1. "She came back and did what she was supposed to do," Naylor coach Gene Deckard said. "It looked like from the other day, she learned her mistakes and today she came back and did her job."... Twin Rivers softball makes contact, beats Neelyville (09/12/08) By ROB TATE ~ DAR Sports Writer BROSELEY -- A little bit of contact goes a long way. At least that's what Twin Rivers head coach Rob Brown thought afterwards as his Lady Royals came away with a 3-1 victory Thursday over Neelyville in some very-humid weather... Sikeston blasts East Prairie (09/12/08) SIKESTON -- It was an offensive explosion that the Sikeston Lady Bulldogs was looking for on Thursday afternoon, by defeating the East Prairie Lady Eagles 13-1. After losing to Cape Central in a one-run game on Tuesday and then getting sent home by the Kelly Lady Hawks in a 11-1 game, nothing could have been better for the Lady Bulldogs... Big fifth inning lifts Kelly past Cape Central (09/12/08) BENTON--The Kelly Lady Hawks softball team defeated the Cape Central Lady Tigers 3-0 Thursday to improve to 8-1 on the season. The game was a battle of pitching and defense. Danielle Dock pitched for Kelly while Amanda Nichols took the duties for Cape Central. Both are highly-regarded pitchers in Southeast Missouri... Eli Jackson, Sikeston football/Lauren Reinagel, Notre Dame softball (09/12/08) Eli Jackson, the junior running back for the Sikeston Bulldogs, scored four first-half touchdowns last Friday to lead his team in a 48-6 trouncing of Charleston in a rivalry that celebrated 100 years. Jackson had 169 yards on 11 carries in the first half, and finished the night 221 yards on 14 rushes... Sikeston falters in late innings (09/11/08) BENTON -- The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs suffered their second consecutive loss on Wednesday as they played solid defense until the fifth inning only to allow a close game to slip away yet again, this time to the Kelly Lady Hawks on their home field. Kelly eventually scored 10 runs in two innings to send Sikeston home with an 11-1 loss... Lady Tigers rally past Sikeston, 3-2 (09/10/08) SIKESTON -- The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs softball team dropped a close one on Tuesday afternoon to the visiting Cape Central Lady Tigers. The one-run final, 3-2 in favor of Cape Central, in no way indicated how the first five innings of the game went for Sikeston as they led 2-0 until the top of the fifth... Big hit from Lady Devil's Ancell defeats Perryville, 4-1 (09/09/08) CHAFFEE -- The Chaffee Lady Devils softball team moved to 5-4 on the season Monday, defeating Perryville 4-1. Chaffee got a lone run in the fifth before Shelby Ancell delivered a 3-RBI double in the fifth inning to put the Lady Devils up 4-0. Ancell finished the day 2-for-2 at the plate... Naylor's Lane tosses no-hitter (09/09/08) By DAR STAFF Chelsea Lane threw a no-hitter Monday as Naylor beat Neelyville 4-0. Lane had 10 strikeouts and just two walks in the win. "She kept them off-balance and is starting to hit her spots," Naylor coach Gene Deckard said. "She was hitting the corners and moving the ball around."... Sikeston finishes tourney in fifth (09/08/08) CAPE GIRARDEAU -- The Sikeson Lady Bulldogs softball team came away with a fifth place finish from the 2008 Notre Dame Softballfest over the weekend by winning their final three games after dropping the first one on Friday. They defeated Ste. Genevieve 15-6, Oran 7-6 and Chaffee 3-0... Notre Dame downs the Lady Hawks in title game (09/08/08) CAPE GIRARDEAU-- The Notre Dame Lady Bulldogs Softball team defeated the Kelly Lady Hawks 2-0 to claim the championship of the Notre Dame SoftballFest tournament Saturday in Cape Girardeau. The defensive struggle was a pitching duel between two of the premier pitchers in the area in Notre Dame's Lauren Reinagel and Kelly's Danielle Dock... In extra innings, Lady Mules get first win (08/31/08) By DAR STAFF DELTA -- Timely hitting and solid pitching earned the Poplar Bluff softball team its first win of the season Saturday afternoon, a 3-2 eight-inning victory over Delta. Haley Foust led the eighth inning off with a double and then stole third. With two down, she took advantage of a passed ball and gave the Lady Mules the go-ahead run... ROUNDUP: Doniphan softball slips past Twin Rivers (09/03/08) By DAR STAFF DONIPHAN -- Doniphan scored a run in four different innings as the Donettes moved past Twin Rivers 4-3 Tuesday afternoon. "I thought our kids were really focused," Doniphan coach Brad Phillips said. "In the past, Twin Rivers has really had Doniphan's number and we were fortunate enough to hang in there and battle and get the win."... Central tops Jackson at Cor Jesu softball tournament (08/31/08) By Bill Hester ~ Special to the Southeast Missourian KIRKWOOD, Mo. -- The weekend had been a frustrating one for Taylre Scott and the rest of the Central softball team. The Tigers played two excellent games on the first night of the Haberstroh Cor Jesu Tournament, losing 2-1 contests to Affton and Notre Dame-St. Louis on Friday... Delta softball stumbles (08/31/08) The Delta softball team committed five errors Saturday to open the door for Poplar Bluff. The Mules emerged with the 3-2 win, with all three of their runs unearned. FULL STORY PREVIEW: Notre Dame softball gets speedster back (08/31/08) Notre Dame featured one of the state's best offenses last fall, hitting for a .378 team batting average while capturing third place in Class 3. The Bulldogs did that without their leadoff batter and possibly their best hitter, Paris Burger, who sat out the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus... SHS uses good defense and key hits in 6-2 win (08/31/08) SIKESTON--The Sikeston Lady Bulldog softball team used stellar defense and sound hitting to surge past the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules in a 6-2 victory Friday afternoon at the Sikeston Sports Complex. With the win, the Lady Bulldogs improve to 2-1 on the season... ROUNDUP: Greenville rallies past Ellington 10-9 (08/29/08) By DAR STAFF GREENVILLE -- Greenville rallied for five runs in the sixth inning and got a walkoff single from Tyler Dougherty in the bottom of the seventh to move past Ellington, 10-9, Thursday afternoon. Dougherty finished the game with three hits and two RBIs... Vancil strikes out 25, pitches no-hitter in Twin Rivers' win against East Carter (08/29/08) Newman fans 20 in losing cause as pitchers combine for 45 K's in 10 innings. ROUNDUP: Chaffee's Kiefer blanks Scott City (08/29/08) Chaffee's Madelyn Kiefer shut down Scott City and got just enough offense to pitch the Red Devils to a 3-0 victory in girls softball action Thursday. Kiefer pitched seven innings, struck out six, walked none and allowed three hits. Taylor Kirchdoerfer, Sierra Miller and Megan Horman all had RBIs, while Taylor Hanna added two hits for Chaffee (1-2)... ROUNDUP: Royals turn triple play but fall to Camels (08/27/08) By DAR STAFF Twin Rivers fell to Campbell 8-2 Tuesday afternoon but did turn a triple play in the process. Campbell's Cody Huber popped up a bunt attempt and Royals pitcher Garrett Stockton made a diving catch and threw to Jon Stevenson at second who threw to first base to complete the play... ROUNDUP: Jackson pummels Chaffee in softball opener (08/26/08) The Jackson High School softball team romped to a 15-1 victory against Chaffee in the season opener for both teams Monday at Jackson City Park. Click to read the story from Semissourian.com --- SOFTBALL Central 2, Perryville 0 Kelly 11, East Carter 1... Offenses rule on fall baseball's opening day (08/26/08) By DAR STAFF The Doniphan Dons got three runs in the first frame on the way to a five-inning 11-1 win over Van Buren. Travis Moe and Ethan King each had two RBIs for the Dons while Zack Swindle had one. "We scored runs, we kind of took what the pitcher gave us," Doniphan coach Jason Rose said. "I was pretty proud overall of how we swung the bats."... Naylor tries to build off postseason runs (08/26/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer NAYLOR -- Both the Naylor baseball and softball teams are looking to build on productive seasons last year as they head into the fall. The baseball team lost in the district final to Winona and the softball squad lost in the district final as well to Oran... Lady Bulldogs' home opener is spoiled by visiting Knightettes (08/26/08) SIKESTON -- The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs softball team battled the Farmington Knightettes hard Monday in their first game of the season at the Sikeston Complex, but a seventh inning rally fell short as Farmington prevailed 8-7. "I think these girls came out and played really well," Sikeston head coach Tiffany King said. ... Greenville softball has plenty of changes (08/26/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer GREENVILLE -- This fall season brings a change at the top of the Greenville softball program as Bobby Montgomery will lead the Lady Bears. The Lady Bears will no longer have the services of Sara Condray, who graduated, but Leah Hillis is shaping up to be solid on the mound, Montgomery said... Doniphan coaches start with the basics (08/22/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer DONIPHAN -- Doniphan's baseball and softball programs are donning new leaders heading into this fall sports season. Jason Rose is taking over the baseball program while Brad Phillips will be leading the softball squad... Clearwater softball back on familiar ground (08/21/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer PIEDMONT -- After a tough off-season, the Lady Tigers are getting back on their feet. The flood last March hit the Clearwater softball team especially hard as it flooded out their field and washed away the dugouts and fencing, leaving virtually nothing familiar. However, with help from the community and others even outside the state, the Lady Tigers field is expected to be ready for their first game... Pitching depth has East Carter ready to defend district (08/20/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer ELLSINORE -- The East Carter softball team literally has mounds of talent. The Lady Redbirds have four pitchers heading into the season -- sophomore Mariah Randazzo, senior Bethany LeGrand, sophomore Courtney Newman and freshman Molly Freeze. All four are able to bring something to the mound, East Carter coach Angie Bowman said... Study hall for the Mules (08/19/08) With a new coach and new starters, there's plenty to learn Stuckey is new coach for Twin Rivers baseball (08/18/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer BROSELEY -- In his playing days, Denver Stuckey was a tough, hard-nosed competitor. After coaching stints at Three Rivers Community College and Oran High School, he is looking to bring that mentality to the Twin Rivers baseball team as its new coach this fall... New coach to lead Neelyville baseball (08/18/08) Softball program also has a new leader. Experienced Lady Hawks looking for final four return (08/17/08) BENTON -- After finishing third in the Class 2 state tournament in 2007, the 2008 Kelly Lady Hawks softball team is ready for another shot at No. 1. "Yeah, I think we have the potential to make another state run," said head coach Rhonda Ratledge. "We're very excited and we're working hard."... Changing faces: Poplar Bluff has several new coaches (08/10/08) Of the six fall sports at Poplar Bluff, there are five new coaches Sarah Ruff will play softball at TRCC (07/01/08) Kelly standout will play softball, may play basketball All-everything: Watson named Daily Dunklin Democrat Female Athlete of the Year (06/19/08) Laura Watson has had a storied high school career, to say the least. In her four-year high school career, she has been a key player on two Tri-County Conference title softball teams at Holcomb, helped the volleyball team win a district title as a junior, and has been named the area's top volleyball player by this newspaper the last two years... Elite echelon: Weaver, Scales are our Players of the Year (06/18/08) Laurel Scales and Tiffani Weaver are both quick to give credit to their teammates and coaches for their success on the softball diamond. Maybe that's part of what makes them great. "This year been a great experience," Scales, Kennett's standout pitcher, said. "It would not have been as great without the great teammates and great coaching. Teamwork was just a big key in all of our success."... Kelci Scott signs with Three Rivers (05/21/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Twin Rivers' Kelci Scott is determined to bring her winning attitude to the next level. Scott a catcher for the Lady Royals, recently signed her letter of intent to play softball at Three Rivers next season. "I am a really determined person and a really hardworking person so I think I can really bring that," Scott said. "I never quit."... Just call her Cheekie: Lady Tribe assistant softball coach has walked an amazing road (05/11/08) Linda Cheek has taken a long and amazing road to where she is today. Cheek, who is in her second year as Kennett High School's assistant softball coach -- assisting her daughter, Laurie Vaughan -- has racked up an impressive list of accomplishments in her lifetime, not to mention winning some big battles... Lady Lions in an upset (05/09/08) Errors doom Lady Tribe's quest for perfection Pitching dominates OFC softball field (05/04/08) By BRAD HURT ~ DAR Sports Writer When the Ozark Foothills Conference softball tournament gets underway Monday at Three Rivers' Rains Field, there is no telling what may happen. With rain wiping out a good portion of the season, teams enter the tournament with little in the way of actual game experience. That could be a factor, especially in the first round, as opponents may face each other for the first time since last fall... Junior Tribe's success on diamond bodes well (05/04/08) If the success that the Kennett Indians junior high baseball team has had over the last three seasons means anything, then the future for Kenett High School baseball is indeed bright. The junior Tribe just wrapped up its third straight Bootheel Conference Tournament title with a 13-2 win over Portageville Wednesday in the tourney finals at Portageville... Chaffee drops close contest to Kennett (05/02/08) Staff Reports ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com CHAFFEE -- The Chaffee Red Devils lost a hard-fought late-inning battle against the Kennett Indians on Thursday, as the Indians scored three runs in the top of the eighth to break a tie ball game and hold on for the win... ROUNDUP: Neelyville, Twin Rivers softball roll (05/02/08) By DAR STAFF Chelsea Lane held the Lady Tigers to three hits, and the Lady Eagles used their speed and baserunning to overwhelm Clearwater 11-0. "They're one of the best-hitting teams around," Clearwater coach Shannon England said of the Lady Eagles... Scales, Lady Tribe stay hot against Holcomb (05/02/08) HOLCOMB, Mo. -- Saying that Laurel Scales has been on a roll of late might just be an understatement. Scales turned in her third straight dominating pitching performance of the week, striking out 12 batters and allowing just one hit to lead the Kennett Lady Indians to a 12-0 victory over the Holcomb Lady Hornets here Thursday... Conference champs: Lady Tribe wraps up outright Bootheel title with win (05/01/08) In the midst of the season's homestretch, the Kennett Lady Indians softball team seems to be peaking at the right time. The Lady Tribe continued its recent hot streak Wednesday at Indian Park, scoring 13 runs in the bottom of the first inning to roll to a 15-0 victory over the Caruthersville Lady Tigers and lock up the Bootheel Conference title... Lions sting Hornets with big innings (04/30/08) SENATH, Mo. -- The Senath-Hornersville Lions have struggled with consistency at the plate at times this spring, even being no-hit twice earlier in the season. However, the Lions didn't show a lot of that inconsistency Tuesday, using a pair of four-run innings to roll past the Holcomb Hornets 8-1... Lady Tribe rolls to pair of victories (04/29/08) Entering the 2008 spring softball season, the Kennett Lady Indians were still not happy over having to share the Bootheel Conference title last season. Monday, they took that frustration out on the team that made them share last year's crown -- and on their toughest competitor for this year's league title... ROUNDUP: Sikeston soccer beats Marion, Ill. (04/25/08) Staff Reports ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com MARION, Ill. -- The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs improved to 7-10 Thursday evening when they beat the Marion Lady Wildcats on the road, 3-1. After a scoreless first half, the Lady Bulldogs wasted little time in the second, scoring two goals in three minutes. Jordi Ferrell was first to connect at the 44-minute mark on an assist from Abbi Keefer. Ferrell would then return the favor to Keefer at the 47-minute mark to give the visiting squad a 2-0 lead... Sullivan's Bluff lifts Naylor past Lady Royals (04/25/08) Naylor hands Twin Rivers its first loss in softball with 3-1 decision. ROUNDUP: Robey throws no-hitter but NMCC falls to Kennett (04/24/08) Staff Reports ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com NEW MADRID -- New Madrid County Central softball pitcher Kelly Robey didn't allow a hit Wednesday afternoon against Kennett. However the freshman picked up a hard-luck loss as Lady Eagles were unable to score, losing 3-0... ROUNDUP: Bearcats edge Cape Central (04/23/08) By DAR STAFF CAPE GIRARDEAU -- The Dexter Bearcats scored four first-inning runs but needed a late rally to knock off Cape Central 8-7 on Tuesday. Jared Laird scored on a sacrifice bunt by Ben Mills in the fifth inning for the winning margin. After surrendering a pair of runs to start the game, the Bearcats (10-3, 6-1 SEMO) took advantage of control issues by the Tigers' starting pitcher to take their early lead. ... Clearwater's Swofford throws no-hitter in defeat (04/22/08) By DAR STAFF Clearwater's Tisha Swofford threw her third no-hitter in four games but walked eight as the Lady Tigers lost 5-0 Monday at Greenville. The Lady Tigers had their best chance to score when Lydia Wymore led off the second inning with a double, only to be stranded on second as Sara Condray retired the next three hitters in order... ROUNDUP: Parish, Vancil toss no-hitters (04/18/08) By DAR STAFF Libby Parish and Carlee Vancil each pitched no-hitters Thursday to lead their teams to wins. Neelyville 11, Clearwater 0 Parish struck out four and walked one at home for Neelyville. Parish found her success by forcing Clearwater into ground ball after ground ball... NMCC softball wins eighth straight game (04/18/08) Bernie improves to 7-2 with shutout of Risco Thursday Lady 'Cats defeat Bloomfield for SCAA tourney title (04/18/08) ADVANCE -- Dexter scored three runs in the first inning then used a solid defensive effort and the pitching of Stephanie Jackson to hold on for 3-1 win over Bloomfield in the championship game of the SCAA softball tournament Thursday at Advance. "You've got to say something good about all the girls," Dexter coach Tammy Crowley said after the game. "It wasn't just one or two players, it was the whole team. They all played great and I couldn't be more proud of them."... ROUNDUP: Naylor bounces back with win (04/16/08) By DAR STAFF One day after dropping an extra-inning affair at home against Greenville, the Naylor Lady Eagles bounced back with a 10-0 five-inning win over East Carter on Tuesday. Hailee Deckard and Courtney Sullivan each scored three runs as the Lady Eagles (3-2) used a balanced effort to overwhelm the Lady Redbirds... Lady Royals hit on all cylinders (04/16/08) By BRAD HURT ~ DAR Sports Writer BROSELEY -- An offensive outburst by the Twin Rivers Lady Royals in the sixth inning brought an early end Tuesday to their game against Doniphan as their five runs in that frame gave them a 10-0 win. The Lady Royals pounded out 14 hits... Oran defeats Dexter on the road (04/16/08) Staff Reports ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com DEXTER -- The Oran Eagles improved to 7-1 on the season as they defeated the Dexter Bearcats 7-5. Steven Dooley got the win for the Eagles allowing three earned runs on five hits and two walks. He also struck out nine batters in five innings of work. Kody Campbell picked up the save... Tribe struggles at plate; Clarkton rolls at Delta (04/16/08) JACKSON, Mo. -- The Kennett Indians' struggles at the plate continue. For the third game in a row, the Tribe was held to five hits or less as Jackson pitcher Caleb Hosey tossed a two-hitter in a 7-1 victory over the Indians here Tuesday. In other games Tuesday, it was Senath-Hornersville 3, Malden 2; and Clarkton 13, Delta C7 3, while in softball it was South Pemiscot 15, Delta C7 3... Lady Raiders sign Ferguson for softball (04/15/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Poplar Bluff standout Stefanie Ferguson has been a good leadoff hitter for the Lady Mules over the past four seasons and now she is ready to step into a new batter's box. Ferguson signed her letter of intent Tuesday to play softball at Three Rivers Community College next season... New Madrid County freshman one pitch from no-hitter (04/15/08) Kelly Robey strikes out 12 and walks only two in a 10-0 victory against Gideon. 'Never-quit' Greenville stuns Naylor in nine (04/15/08) Greenville scores three in the seventh to tie en route to 5-3 win. ROUNDUP: Greenville rallies, walks away with victory in eighth (04/15/08) By DAR STAFF The Greenville Bears rallied from a three-run deficit to force extra innings and scored the winning run on a bases-loaded walk to defeat Naylor 8-7 in eight innings Monday. D.J. Robinson went 3-for-5 and scored three times while Joey Morey went 3-for-4 and also scored three times for the Bears... ROUNDUP: Clearwater, Naylor win (04/14/08) Naylor's Lane strikes out 17 in shutout. Kennett routs Lady Lions while soccer wins again (04/09/08) Tuesday's much-anticipated softball showdown between the Senath-Hornersville Lady Lions and Kennett Lady Indians ended up very one-sided. The Lady Tribe pounded out 13 hits and got another dominating performance from Laurel Scales to roll to an 11-0 victory over Senath-Hornersville at Indian Park... ROUNDUP: Oran, Chaffee, Cooter remain unbeaten (04/08/08) Sikeston golfers finish second in Poplar Bluff tourney ROUNDUP: Miller's home run lifts Dexter (04/08/08) By DAR STAFF DEXTER -- After falling into a three-run hole late against Sikeston on Monday, Dexter appeared to be in trouble before Caleb Miller capped a four-hit burst in the final inning with a walk-off home run to send the Bearcats to a 6-4 win. Miller's home run followed a single by Mason Noe that drove in Jared Laird and Ben Mills, who both reached on singles to start the inning. Garrett McEwen got things started by singling up the middle... Twin Rivers' Vancil fans 16 in return (04/08/08) By BRAD HURT ~ DAR Sports Writer BROSELEY -- Carlee Vancil allowed only two baserunners in shutting down Neelyville with a 5-0 one-hitter Monday. The Twin Rivers junior showed no ill effects from a broken ankle suffered early in the basketball season in her first start on the mound for the Lady Royals... Leutart headed to William Woods (04/03/08) By BRAD HURT ~ DAR Sports Writer BROSELEY -- Twin Rivers senior Samantha Leutert signed a letter of intent on Wednesday to continue her softball career at William Woods College. The third baseman also considered Shawnee Community College and Three Rivers Community College... Oran, Chaffee baseball teams remain unbeaten (04/03/08) Staff Reports ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com ORAN -- The Oran Eagles (3-0) routed the Clearwater Tigers on Wednesday afternoon. On a no-hitter by Steven Dooley the Eagles were lifted past the Tigers 14-0 in five innings of play. Dooley faced 17 batters in his five innings of work, striking out 10 while allowing only two walks... ROUNDUP: Clearwater softball falls 19-16 in opener (04/02/08) By DAR STAFF WINONA -- After the recent flooding and the loss of a new field, the Clearwater softball team saw its first action of the season, falling in a wild game on the road Tuesday. "We were just happy to be on the field," Clearwater coach Shannon England said... Lady Eagles walk past Charleston in extra innings (03/30/08) Winning run for East Prairie scores on walk in eighth Neelyville softball holds off Lady Bears (03/28/08) By DAR STAFF The Neelyville Lady Tigers overcame three errors and held on to beat Greenville 6-5 on Thursday. The Lady Tigers scored half of their runs in the third inning and added the final three in the sixth. "We hit the ball well," Neelyville coach Bill Alexander said... ROUNDUP: Bloomfield gets early lead, beats Advance (03/27/08) By DAR STAFF ADVANCE -- The Bloomfield Wildcats got off to a strong start Wednesday against Advance and improved to 2-1 on the season with a 10-5 win. The Wildcats scored three times in the first inning and tacked on four more runs in the fifth to put the game out of reach... Lady Tribe makes Dexter pay for errors (03/26/08) Trailing by two runs and sputtering on offense midway through the fifth inning, things looked bleak for the Kennett Lady Indians. However the Lady Tribe did not cash it in, scoring five runs in the bottom of the fifth to pull out a 6-2 victory over the Dexter Lady Bearcats Tuesday at Indian Park... ROUNDUP: Greenville holds off Bell City 2-1 in baseball (03/26/08) By DAR STAFF The Greenville Bears picked up a pair of runs in the first inning and held on for a 2-1 road win Tuesday at Bell City. Leadoff man Nick Wren reached on an error to start the and came around to score game on a double by Robert Abernathy. Jacob Wood then drove Abernathy home with a single... ROUNDUP: Mules win title by two strokes (03/25/08) By DAR STAFF JACKSON -- Poplar Bluff defended its title Monday at the Notre Dame Invitational beating the host by two strokes. Trent Hillis tied for second to lead the Mules at Bent Creek Golf Course while Corey Poteet tied for eighth as Poplar Bluff edged Notre Dame 338-340... Dexter girls slide by New Madrid County Central (03/25/08) Nine run fourth inning lifts the Lady Bearcats in opener NMCC softball hopes to build on 2007 season (03/23/08) Lady Eagles have new field to play on but the same expectations Clearwater softball field destroyed by flooding (03/23/08) Doniphan will probably go on the road for a while due to the flooding. ROUNDUP: Naylor's Lane perfect in opener (03/18/08) By DAR STAFF Chelsea Lane and the Naylor Lady Eagles couldn't have gotten off to a better start this spring than a 15-0 win Monday over Risco. Lane pitched a perfect game for the Lady Eagles, striking out 10 hitters in four innings. Courtney Sullivan picked up a pair of hits and scored three times for the Lady Eagles. She was one of several players who contributed offensively for Naylor... PREVIEW: Twin Rivers softball wants another title shot (03/17/08) By BRAD HURT ~ DAR Sports Writer The Twin Rivers Lady Royals have a bitter taste from the fall softball season. After winning 16 of their first 17, the Lady Royals suffered an 1-0 loss to East Carter in the district championship. Now they are looking to turn their fortunes around as they begin their drive for a conference title... 'Winning is crucial': Lady Tribe aims for Bootheel titles this spring (03/11/08) No one can accuse the Kennett Lady Indians softball team of lacking focus. After sharing the Bootheel Conference regular-season title last spring and finishing second in the league tourney, the Lady Tribe has no intention of playing second fiddle to anyone... Redhawks softball wins pair in tourney (03/03/08) The Southeast Missouri State softball team won both its games Sunday in the All-Missouri Strike Out Against Cancer Classic at the Southeast Softball Complex. Southeast posted a 3-1 victory over Missouri State, then blasted four home runs in a 7-3 win over Saint Louis University... Redhawks softball drops pair of games in Louisiana tourney (02/18/08) After scoring 25 runs in winning its first three games, the Southeast Missouri State softball team scored a total of two runs in a pair of losses Sunday as it concluded play in the Mardi Gras tournament in Monroe, La. After collecting only three hits in an 8-1 loss to Iowa State, Southeast managed just four hits in a 2-1 loss to host Louisiana-Monroe... Redhawks win at tournament, improve to 3-0 (02/16/08) Southeast Missourian MONROE, La. -- The Southeast Missouri State softball team picked up its third straight win to start the season Friday. The Redhawks defeated Central Arkansas 5-3 in their first game of the Mardi Gras Tournament hosted by Louisiana-Monroe... Redhawks eager to erase memory of subpar 2007 (02/14/08) After a resurgent 2006 season, Southeast Missouri State softball coach Lana Richmond thought the Redhawks were primed for even better things in 2007. But an early-season pitching injury foiled those plans as the Redhawks dipped to 20-29, finished eighth in the Ohio Valley Conference and failed to make the OVC tournament for the first time... Urhan signs with Lindenwood University (02/10/08) Oran senior Jodi Urhahn signed a four-year letter of intent to play softball at Lindenwood University located in St. Charles. While continuing her softball career at Lindenwood, Urhahn plans on majoring in athletic training or physical therapy. Urhahn played shortstop and was the leadoff hitter for the Oran Lady Eagles this past fall, however she thinks her position for the Lindenwood Lady Lions will be that of a utility player. ... Two local athletes pick Lindenwood (02/08/08) East Prairie's Tony Jones will play football; Oran's Jodi Urhahn will play softball All-Semoball girls softball team (01/10/08) The top players in Southeast Missouri, chosen with input from coaches by the staff of Semoball.com: Heather Menz, Notre Dame (12/11/07) Position: Infield Year: Senior Plans for next year: Go to college and become a teacher. I don't plan on playing softball in college Season stats: .363 avg., 13 2Bs, 22 RBIs, 10 SBs Pregame ritual: Crank up the music in my car and sing my heart out Strangest supply in your athletic locker: Toothpaste... Erika Reinagel, Notre Dame (12/11/07) Position: Outfield Year: Junior Season stats: .558 avg., 7 RBIs, 32 SBs Favorite moment this season: When we beat Affton in the quarterfinals, which put us into the Class 3 final four Pregame ritual: The team would warm up, then we would pray with our right arm over left, then we did a break down. After that I would sprint down the line to get my legs going... Jodi Urhahn, Oran (12/11/07) Position: Infield Year: Senior Plans for next year: Plan to play ball in college and study athletic training or physical therapy Season stats: .455 avg., 9 RBIs, 12 SBs, .492 OBP, 4 2Bs Favorite moment this season: Winning the district championship for the first time at Oran High School and getting a banner... Lauren Reinagel, Notre Dame (12/11/07) Position: Pitcher Year: Sophomore Season stats: 28-1, 0.55 ERA, 253 Ks, 13 shutouts, 61 BBs, .394 batting average, 5 3Bs, 1 HR, 22 RBIs Favorite moment this season: Winning sectionals because that's where we stopped last year Pregame ritual: We would bat in the cages, then I would warm up with one of the catchers... 2007 all-Southeast Missourian softball team (12/11/07) The Southeast Missourian sports staff put together a team of the most talented high school softball players in the newspaper's coverage area. Below is the roster, with links to each player's page. P -- Amanda Nichols, Central P -- Jessica Tuschhoff, Jackson... Jessica Tuschhoff, Jackson (12/11/07) Position: Pitcher Year: Junior Season stats: 10-6, 1.21 ERA, 7 shutouts, 1 perfect game, 72Ks, 15 BBs Pregame ritual: Listen to music in somebody's car as we put shoes and socks on, then warm-up jog, stretch, and throw Strangest supply in your athletic locker: Our food for the bus rides... Hana Bolen, Jackson (12/11/07) Position: Infield Year: Senior Plans for next year: I am going to college at Jefferson College and will play softball Season stats: .421 avg., 4 2Bs, 6 3Bs, 22 RBIs, 19 runs Pregame ritual: Listen to music as we put on our socks and shoes and then head to the field to run, stretch and throw... ND's Reinagel named Southeast Missourian Softball Player of the Year (12/11/07) Notre Dame sophomore Lauren Reinagel said her best performance during her first varsity season came at the Jackson Invitational, when she pitched four games in one day, winning every one. Reinagel's dominance was the main reason the Bulldogs won that tournament for the first time in school history. Afterward she declared her arm felt just fine... Alexis Ralls, Notre Dame (12/11/07) Position: Outfield Year: Junior Season stats: .413 avg., 4 HRs, 32 RBIs, 12 2Bs, .674 slg. pct. Favorite moment this season: Winning the Jackson tournament for the first time Pregame ritual: Listening to my iPod on the way to the game Strangest supply in your athletic locker: Deodorant... Sarah Ruff, Kelly (12/11/07) Position: Outfield Year: Senior Plans for next year: I would like to attend a four-year college and play softball or basketball. And I would love to study marine biology Season stats (through districts): .405 avg., 16 RBIs, 23 SBs Favorite moment this season: When Casey Kern laid a bunt down and the team knew we were going to state... Casey Kern, Kelly softball (12/11/07) Position: Infield Year: Junior Season stats (through districts): .410 avg., 1 HR, 15 RBIs, 5 SBs Favorite moment this season: Winning districts and proving to everyone that we would come back Strangest supply in your athletic locker: Solar blanket, in case of fire... Sirena Watkins, Central (12/11/07) Position: Catcher Year: Senior Plans for next year: I'd like to play college softball for Southeast Missouri State and study pre-chiropractic or pre-med Favorite moment this season: When Amanda Nichols backed the Kia over one of the wooden posts on the gravel road leading to the field and then we tried pounding it back into the ground with a bat... Amanda Nichols, Central (12/11/07) Position: Pitcher Year: Junior Favorite moment this season: During our first game of districts, when we finally beat Poplar Bluff and advanced for the first time in awhile Pregame ritual: I listen to music and we all try to pump each other up by doing cheers and focusing on the game ahead... Bulldogs dominate honors (11/22/07) The Notre Dame softball team came close to a perfect season this fall, going 29-1 and finishing third in the state in Class 3. And with the Bulldogs' success on the diamond came many individual honors for the players. Notre Dame pitcher Lauren Reinagel, who posted a 28-1 record, earned Class 3 all-state honors. ... Four area softball players earn all-state (11/13/07) Kelly's Casey Kern is an all-state first-team selection, while Ruff earns second-team honors; Oran's Kiehlhofner and Urhahn also second-team selections, in Class 1 Kelly ends up with third-place finish in Class 2 softball state tourney (10/21/07) Josh Mills ~ Standard Democrat COLUMBIA -- The Kelly Lady Hawks softball team took home third-place hardware on Friday afternoon, as they fell in their semifinal game to the Palmyra Lady Panthers 7-0, then bounced back to beat the Marion C. Early Lady Panthers 4-1, in the MSHSAA Class 2 state playoffs for the third-place trophy... Notre Dame took relaxed approach to consolation final (10/21/07) Notre Dame sophomore Lauren Reinagel was doing some dancing out on the mound while she warmed up for the third inning of the Class 3 third-place consolation game against Platte County on Friday. And she was even smiling from ear to ear while she faced some batters... Hawks end on high note after shutout in semifinal (10/20/07) COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The lone senior on the Kelly softball team, Sarah Ruff, had a tough week of practice leading up to the Hawks' Class 2 semifinal game against Palmyra on Friday. "I was throwing up in the outfield," said Ruff, who missed Monday and Tuesday because she was sick. "And then Wednesday's practice it rained. The week didn't go so hot for me but we looked forward to coming here this weekend and I was just looking forward to it."... Bulldogs suffer first loss of year in Class 3 semis (10/20/07) COLUMBIA, Mo. -- For the first time this fall, Notre Dame sophomore Lauren Reinagel was outpitched. Reinagel entered Friday's Class 3 state semifinal against Webb City with a 27-0 record, a 0.47 ERA and 235 strikeouts. But Webb City's Nicole Hudson was more relaxed and in command... Ruff provides senior leadership for Kelly softball team (10/19/07) She is the only senior on the Class 2 state semifinal team. Kelly continues title quest (10/18/07) The Hawks take on defending state champion Palmyra in Friday afternoon's semifinal. Kelly's catcher returns to the field after two torn ACLs (10/18/07) Kelly catcher Brittany Brantley felt more than pain when she tore her left anterior cruciate ligament, meniscus and medial collateral ligament playing softball in May 2006. Brantley had just recovered from a tear of her right ACL, so thoughts of another major surgery, an additional four months of physical therapy and the possibility she would never again catch a ballgame rushed through her mind... Kelly starting pitcher remains a mystery in playoffs (10/17/07) It's 30 minutes before a postseason game begins and Kelly softball coach Rhonda Ratledge continues to mull over one of the most important pregame decisions. Who's going to be her starting pitcher? Jessica Riley and Heather Beggs both warm up like they're going to get the nod. They admit their coach never tips her hand to reveal which way she's leaning... Kelly advances to state final four (10/15/07) Hawks shut out Principia in Class 2 quarterfinal. Kelly blanks Principia (10/14/07) BALLWIN -- Kelly coach Rhonda Ratledge waited and waited to tell Heather Beggs that she'd pitch the Hawks' Class 2 state quarterfinal game against Principia on Saturday. "About 20 minutes before," Beggs said. "She asked me if I wanted the game ball and I thought about it and said, 'Yeah, this is the quarterfinal game and I'm ready.' ... She has been going with her gut feeling and this was her gut feeling today."... Kelly, Notre Dame ready for quarterfinal action (10/13/07) Rhonda Ratledge wanted a schedule packed with challenges to prepare properly for the next two weeks. Ratledge's Kelly Hawks faced Notre Dame, a Class 3 state quarterfinalist, twice this season. Kelly played in the Jackson tournament and the Notre Dame SoftballFest. ... Bernie, Bell City advance to SCAA volleyball final (10/12/07) By DAR STAFF PUXICO -- Jenny Eubank and Kristin Eaves led the way with 10 kills and five solo blocks each and Jessie Alexander added eight as Bernie swept Woodland 25-23, 25-20 in the semifinal of the SCAA Tournament. The Lady Mules (16-10-1) face top-seeded Bell City tonight in the championship game... Kelly bunts its way past East Carter (10/11/07) By BRAD HURT ~ Sports Writer Armed with their "small ball" style of offense, the Kelly Lady Hawks overcame a sluggish start to overwhelm East Carter 9-2 in Wednesday's MSHSAA Class 2 sectional playoff. "Once they got started on their bunting and running, we didn't know how to handle it," East Carter coach Angie Bowman said. "We don't face teams that do that. That was the key to the game."... Miller strikes out Oran 6-0 in Class 1 softball sectional (10/11/07) David Jenkins ~ Standard Democrat ORAN -- The Oran Lady Eagles softball team made a splash in their first year of fall softball, using a strong defense to win the district tournament. Unfortunately, that same defense failed the Lady Eagles in a 6-0 loss to Miller in the Class 1 sectional game Wednesday afternoon... Oran's run ends at hands of power pitcher (10/11/07) ORAN, Mo. -- Oran senior Callie Kielhofner tried to spark an offensive rally for her team a couple years ago by chanting "Rattle the Bats." But instead, she accidentally said, "Battle the Rats." All her teammates got a good laugh at Kielhofner's slip of the tongue. The phrase has become a popular saying among the team whenever the offense is struggling and in need of a rally. And members of the Eagles team used the phrase more than once in Wednesday's Class 1 sectional game against Miller... Notre Dame keeps its perfect record intact with 1-0 victory (10/11/07) PARK HILLS, Mo. -- De Soto softball coach Dave Guemmer has a theory that every game features a point where the pitcher and her defense are going to be challenged. Notre Dame passed a couple of those tests Wednesday afternoon in the Class 3 sectional contest at the Park Hills Sports Complex... In two places at one time (10/10/07) Sara Heisserer rarely experiences a morning when she can just turn off her alarm clock and sleep a few extra hours. She did Saturday. Sort of. "I got up at 6:30 a.m. and I thought, 'Oh man, I slept in,'" Heisserer said. "Thank God we have energy drinks in this world."... East Carter softball team has come a long way (10/09/07) By BRAD HURT ~ Sports Writer ELLSINORE -- Before the biggest game of the season, the East Carter softball team found itself stuck indoors Monday, forced to practice in the elementary school gym by a steady rain. "We need the rain, but the team really needs to be out on the field," said assistant coach Robert Eudaley... Red October: East Carter sinks Twin Rivers for district title (10/07/07) By BRAD HURT ~ DAR Sports Writer East Carter's Mariah Randazzo and Carlee Vancil of Twin Rivers kept getting out jams Friday as the pitchers dueled at Rains Field for the MSHSAA Class 2 District 1 title. The two teams combined for 10 hits but Randazzo and the Lady Redbirds pulled out a 1-0 victory for their first district title in three years... Bulldogs' offense overpowers Festus (10/07/07) The Notre Dame softball team had all phases of its game working Saturday afternoon. Lauren Reinagel threw five innings of no-hit ball, her fourth in five outings. The Bulldogs cranked out 12 hits along with three successful sacrifices or squeezes and four stolen bases... Seckman holds off Jackson in district final (10/06/07) Seckman senior pitcher Holly Brown stood in the circle feeling a little anxious with two outs in the top of the seventh inning of the Class 4 District 1 title game against Jackson on Friday evening. Her team was leading by one run and she had a full count on Indians No. 9 hitter Jessica Pitts with two runners on base... Lady Royals earn sweep against Bernie in volleyball (10/03/07) By DAR STAFF BROSELEY --Twin Rivers edged Bernie in two close games Tuesday night, 30-28 and 25-23. Tosha Woodham had seven kills and five blocks for the Lady Royals while Briana Johnson had six kills. Kaylee Blue had 10 assists and Jordan Sentell had 15 digs in the win... Oran takes liking to fall ball, reaches final (10/06/07) ORAN -- Senior Cassie Graviett loves her first taste of district play. Graviett and her Oran teammates are playing in the district softball tournament for the first time after the Eagles switched this year from playing in the spring to playing in the fall, when the Missouri State High School Activities Association holds its tournament... Neelyville, Naylor set up semifinal softball meeting (10/05/07) DAR staff reports ORAN -- Neelyville used 17 hits to power past Couch 8-6 in the MSHSAA Class 1 District 1 first round game Thursday. With the win, Neelyville will face Naylor, a 12-0 winner, today at 4 p.m. The championship game is 1 p.m. Saturday... East Carter rallies late to oust Greenville (10/05/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ Sports Writer Up to the fourth inning of the MSHSAA Class 2 District 1 semifinal, the East Carter offense was nearly silent. It all changed in that frame as Courtney Saffle and Mariah Randazzo both reached on errors. With two outs, Nicole Neidenberg hit a double that knocked in Saffle and Randazzo to make it 2-0. A single by Tiffany Baker made it 3-0... Twin Rivers blanks Malden, advances to championship (10/05/07) By ALEX ABATE ~Sports Writer Even though Twin Rivers beat Malden 10-0 in six inning Thursday in the MSHSAA Class 2 District 1 semifinal at Rains Field, Lady Royal pitcher Carlee Vancil didn't get off to the start she wanted. In the top of the first inning, she walked Brittney Terrell and one out later walked Kristen Stroup and Catie Duckett to load the bases. ... Sikeston's softball season ends with loss to Festus (10/05/07) Josh Mills ~ Standard Democrat CAPE GIRARDEAU--The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs softball team wrapped up their season on Thursday night, with a loss in the first game of districts to the Festus Lady Tigers (14-8), in four innings due to the 15-run mercy rule, losing the game 17-2... East Carter, Greenville, Malden take care of district business (10/04/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer East Carter softball coach Angie Bowman always tells her players to never take an opponent lightly. The Lady Redbirds took their coach's advice Wednesday and left nothing to chance as they rolled past Clearwater, 11-1 in five innings, to start the MSHSAA Class 2 District 1 tournament at Raines Field... Cape Central eliminates Poplar Bluff in softball district (10/04/07) By BRIAN ROSENER ~ Sports Editor JACKSON -- Cape Central scored twice with two outs in the top of the seventh inning Wednesday to break a tie and beat Poplar Bluff 4-2 in the opener of the MSHSAA Class 4 District 1 playoffs. The Lady Mules ended the season 18-8... Tigers advance in softball district play (10/04/07) Central scored two runs in the seventh inning to break a tie to win their Class 4 District 1 softball playoff game 4-2 over Poplar Bluff in Jackson on Wednesday. Amanda Nichols went the distance for the Tigers, striking out eight and scattering four hits... Late homer lifts Kennett past Sikeston (10/02/07) Kennett's Allyson Luce hits three-run shot in fifth inning propelled Kennett to a 9-0 victory. Royals try to defend district crown (10/03/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ Sports Writer Many local softball teams have aspirations of making it to state competition, and for many of them the road will start at the MSHSAA Class 2 District 1 tournament which is set to kick off today at Three Rivers Community College... Mules softball team feels overlooked in seedings (10/03/07) By BRIAN ROSENER ~ DAR Sports Editor Poplar Bluff finished the regular season hitting .347 as a team, averaging nearly 7.0 runs per game while allowing just over 3.0 per game. So why are the Lady Mules starting the MSHSAA Class 4 District 1 tournament in Jackson as the No. 4 seed?... Seniors lead Poplar Bluff soccer past Kennett (10/02/07) By BRIAN ROSENER ~ DAR Sports Editor Poplar Bluff's seniors helped make sure sophomore keeper Billy Powell earned his first career shutout Monday night. "A nice performance on Senior Night," said Mules coach Mark Papp following a 3-0 win against Kennett... Kelly holds off Jackson 4-3 (10/02/07) The Hawks finished the regular season at 16-6. Twin Rivers avenges softball loss to Naylor (10/01/07) By DAR STAFF NAYLOR -- The Twin Rivers Lady Royals got their chance at revenge Friday and made the most of it, shutting out Naylor 3-0. The previous week, Naylor had defeated Twin Rivers 2-1 in 10 innings for the Lady Royals only loss of the season... Poplar Bluff outslugs Kelly again (09/28/07) Staff reports ~ Standard Democrat BENTON -- The Kelly Lady Hawks softball team fell victim to the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules 8-6 Thursday afternoon. Poplar Bluff jumped on Kelly early, scoring all eight runs in the first two innings with three in the first and five in the second... Sikeston rally comes up short against Delta in softball (09/28/07) Andrew Powell ~ Standard Democrat SIKESTON - Thursday afternoon, a hard-hitting Delta Lady Bobcats softball team visited the Sikeston Sports Complex to take on the Lady Bulldogs. The young Sikeston team held their own but a late inning rally came up a little short as the experienced Bobcat squad held on for a 8-5 victory... A good day to be a Lady Indian: Softball, tennis teams win home finales, volleyball sinks Donettes (09/28/07) It was a good day to be a Kennett Lady Indian. All three of Kennett's girls' fall sports teams won Thursday, with the softball team shutting out East Prairie 4-0, the tennis team downing Sikeston 6-3 and the volleyball team taking a 25-17, 25-15 win over Doniphan... Jackson shuts out Central in softball (09/27/07) Jackson's Jessica Tuschhoff threw all six innings and struck out four in a rain-shortened 6-0 victory over Central in softball action Wednesday. Brittany Feeney added two RBIs and Hana Bolen went 2-for-3 for the Indians (15-9). WP -- Jessica Tuschhoff (9-4). LP -- Amanda Nichols. 3B -- Brittany Feeney (J). Multiple hits -- Jackson, Hana Bolen 2-3. Record -- Jackson 15-9... Sikeston softball wins big on the road against East Carter (09/26/07) Andrew Powell ~ Standard Democrat EAST CARTER -- Tuesday afternoon the Sikeston Lady Bulldogs softball team traveled to East Carter taking on the Lady Redbirds. The Lady 'Dogs had a solid performance as they came out on top 8-2. Sikeston came out and set the tone early as they showed flash with both their bats on offense and their gloves on defense... Scott City has its way with Sikeston in softball (09/25/07) Andrew Powell ~ Standard Democrat SIKESTON -- Monday afternoon, as the clouds rolled in over the Sikeston Sports Complex, so did the Scott City Lady Rams. They shaded the Sikeston Lady Bulldogs from victory with a 15-3 win. The Lady Rams jumped out early in the game, breaking a scoreless tie in the top of the second. Having two on and two out Scott City's Jennifer Aubuchon laced the line with a triple down first base. Becky Holder then drove in Aubuchon on a RBI single to take a 3-0 advantage... Kelly's bats go silent in 3-0 loss to Notre Dame (09/25/07) Josh Mills ~ Standard Democrat BENTON - The Kelly Lady Hawks were at home on Monday afternoon, playing host to the Notre Dame Lady Bulldogs, and suffered a heartbreaking loss, 3-0 in seven innings. "This one was tough," Kelly head coach Rhonda Ratledge said. "Our first inning cost us the game today. We had two unearned runs in the first, and if we wouldn't have had that, we would've had a one-run ball game."... Jackson's Tuschoff hurls no-hitter (09/25/07) Jessica Tuschoff pitched a three-inning no hitter as the Jackson softball team routed host Perryville 16-0 on Monday. Tuschoff struck out four and walked none as the Indians improved to 14-9. Maggie Baugh and Sienna Miller both had three-run home runs for Jackson. Jessica Pitts drove in four runs, while Hana Bolen had two hits... Oran softball continues winning ways with win over Chaffee (09/24/07) Josh Mills ~ Standard Democrat ORAN -- The Oran Lady Eagles were back in action Saturday, playing host to the Chaffee Lady Red Devils and defeating the visitors by a score of 6-0 in seven innings. Taking the win, on Senior Day, was senior Callie Kielhofner, who allowed no runs, on seven hits, two walks and had three strikeouts. She allowed no extra base hits in the contest... Jackson drops final game in tournament (09/24/07) A seventh-inning rally fell one run short for the Jackson softball team in the Indians' final game of the Jerry Joyce Jaguars Invitational Tournament at Arnold Athletic Association on Saturday. The Indians scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning and appeared headed for more. But Washington pitcher Jessie Eichholz snared a line drive by Alisha Craft and turned it into an inning-ending, game-ending and tournament-ending double play as the Blue Jays won 9-8... Notre Dame improves to 20-0 this season (09/23/07) Notre Dame's Lauren Reinagel won her 18th and 19th games of the season Saturday, helping the Bulldogs continue their best start in school history at 20-0. The Bulldogs beat Incarnate Word Academy 5-1 then bested St. Joseph's Academy 8-3. Reinagel pitched 13 innings over the two games, striking out 15 batters and allowing just one earned run... Oran dominates East Prairie with 13-0 softball victory (09/21/07) Josh Mills ~ Standard Democrat EAST PRAIRIE -- It was guaranteed that an Eagles' squad would win on Thursday afternoon, as East Prairie hosted Oran on the diamond, but visiting Oran swooped in for the kill, defeating East Prairie by a score of 13-0, in five innings due to the 10-run mercy rule... Tribe can't finish Blackcats (09/21/07) It was almost a good day for the Kennett Indians boys' soccer team. The Tribe broke into the scoring column after back-to-back shutout losses and outplayed Fredericktown, but had trouble finishing and suffered a 5-1 loss to the Blackcats Thursday at Indian Park. Reinagel leads Bulldogs to 15-0 romp over Kennett (09/21/07) The Notre Dame softball team continued its roll through the competition. The Bulldogs knocked off Kennett 15-0 on Thursday to improve to 18-0. Lauren Reinagel put on a show, not only in the circle, but also in the batter's box. She tossed a shutout to improve her record to 17-0 and also chipped in two hits... Sikeston rallies past East Prairie for third victory (09/20/07) David Jenkins ~ Standard Democrat SIKESTON -- One week ago the East Prairie Lady Eagles softball team traveled to Sikeston and took advantage of several Lady Bulldogs errors to post a 4-3 win. On Wednesday, the roles were reversed as Sikeston made use of several Lady Eagle errors and rallied from a 6-3 deficit to win 7-6... Kelly softball bounces back by thumping Perryville (09/20/07) Josh Mills ~ Standard Democrat BENTON - The Kelly Lady Hawks defeated Perryville on Wednesday afternoon in six innings due to the 10-run mercy rule, 11-1. For the Lady Hawks, it was their second victory against Perryville in one week, as they defeated them over the weekend in the Jackson Invitational as well... Holcomb downs Lady Tribe again; Scales strikes out 17 in shutout (09/20/07) Holcomb's volleyball rivalry with Kennett isn't as intense as it is with schools like Gideon and Campbell, but it's still a good one. "It's a huge rivalry for the school, small school (vs.) big school," Holcomb coach Gentry Vancil said after her Lady Hornets defeated the Lady Indians 25-20, 25-20 on Wednesday. "It's a good win because I think a lot of these kids know each other and it's a good rivalry, not a (bitter) one."... Poplar Bluff finally beats Kelly in teams' third meeting (09/19/07) By BRIAN ROSENER ~ Sports Editor The third time was indeed the charm for the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules against Kelly. Following losses of 3-2 and 3-1, Breanna Moore delivered a game-winning single with no outs in the bottom of the seventh Tuesday afternoon to lift Poplar Bluff to a 6-5 win... Kennett scalps Kennett 12-4 in girls softball (09/19/07) Josh Mills ~ Standard Democrat SIKESTON - The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs softball team was back in action Tuesday afternoon, playing host to the Kennett Lady Indians, but lost in seven innings, 12-4. The Lady Bulldogs were looking to bounce back, after a loss on Monday afternoon to the Jackson Lady Indians, in which head coach Tiffany King said the team looked great in the losing effort... Lady Tribe makes Sikeston pay for mistakes in big road win (09/19/07) SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs softball team was back in action Tuesday afternoon, playing host to the Kennett Lady Indians, but lost in seven innings, 12-4. The Lady Bulldogs were looking to bounce back, after a loss on Monday afternoon to the Jackson Lady Indians, in which head coach Tiffany King said the team looked great in the losing effort... ND softball remains unbeaten (09/19/07) The Notre Dame softball team kept its perfect season going Tuesday afternoon -- but just barely. Notre Dame slipped past host Goreville, Ill., 6-5 to run its record to 17-0. Alexis Ralls hit a two-run home run in the top of the fifth inning to wipe out a 5-4 deficit and put the Bulldogs on top for good... West's homer sparks Bluff past Lady Tribe (09/18/07) Poplar Bluff's Alex West did what Laurie Vaughan would like to see her Kennett Lady Indians softball team do. West drove a hit into the gap and used her speed to turn it into an inside-the-park home run, capping a three-run third inning as the Lady Mules took a 9-1 win at Indian Park Monday... West's inside-the-park homer highlights Poplar Bluff's softball win (09/18/07) By DAR STAFF KENNETT -- Poplar Bluff's Alex West did what Kennett coach Laurie Vaughan would like to see her Lady Indians do. West drove a hit into the gap and used her speed to turn it into an inside-the-park home run Monday capping a three-run third inning as the Lady Mules took a 9-1 win... Naylor beats East Carter; Vancil whiffs 20 in Twin Rivers' win (09/18/07) Naylor and Twin Rivers will square off this week. Jackson turns back Sikeston's upset bid in softball (09/18/07) David Jenkins ~ Standard Democrat SIKESTON -- As a fire raged just to the east of the Sikeston Sports Complex, the Sikeston Lady Bulldogs softball team came out with fire in their eyes, hoping to upset a highly-touted Jackson nine. However, when the smoke settled Jackson came away with the 3-1 win... Kielhofner pitches Oran past Delta (09/18/07) Callie Kielhofner pitched a six-hitter to lead Oran past Delta 6-2 in softball action Monday. Kielhofner struck out four, walk