Menu
DAR Prep Roundup: Mules tame Cape Central on tennis court
The wins continue to pour in for the Poplar Bluff Mules tennis team as they secure another home win over the Cape Central Tigers 9-0, while the junior varsity won 2-1. The Mules improved to 6-0 in team play and have yet to take a loss outside of invitational tournaments
The Mules kicked off the doubles play with a clean 3-0 sweep. The senior duo of Tavian Towns and Alejandro Rivetti started with an 8-2 win over William and Bruce Miller. William Sherrill, alongside Beau McCormack, and Kurt Rosson, alongside Manuel Riveros, swept their competition in both matches 8-0.
The Mules continued to dominate by clearing the competition in singles play led by Towns, who defeated Miller 8-1. Mules tennis coach Michael Sowatzke said with the players they have this season, he’s hoping they can make a big splash in the postseason. Until then, his daily mindset for the Mules is to improve and learn from every match.
“This match was another strong showing from our guys,” Sowatzke said. “Our number one player Tavian Towns is still undefeated going into a few very tough matches coming up. Everyone is still working to improve, and despite the wins, they aren’t letting their guard down.”
The next matchup for the Mules will be against the undefeated Notre Dame Bulldogs on Wednesday in another district face-off.
BASEBALL
Naylor 5, Gideon 4
A powerful pitching performance from Chase Dillinger carries The Naylor Eagles past Gideon. Dillinger was dominant on the mound, as he racked up 15 strikeouts in the Eagles's 5-4 victory over Gideon on Monday. Dillinger allowed two hits and three runs over five and two-thirds innings while walking none.
The Eagles were the first to get on the board in the first when Sam Rose singled, scoring one run. A single by Nathan Lunsford extended the Eagles lead to 2-0 in the top of the third inning.
Gideon tied the game in the bottom of the sixth thanks to an error, and a double by Alexander Deprow. Naylor captured the lead in the top of the seventh after Dillinger tripled and Rose grounded out, each scoring one run, bringing the score to 5-3.
Hayden Lacewell took the loss for Gideon. The starting pitcher went four innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits, striking out seven and walking three. Rose collected the save, and Landon Lunsford appeared in relief for the Eagles.
Rose drove the middle of the lineup, leading Naylor with two runs batted in. He went 1-for-4 on the day. Dillinger led the Eagles with two hits in two at-bats. Brayden Hollobaugh, Deprow, Lacewell and Carson Grissom each collected one hit for Gideon, and Deprow, along with Pacy Lowry, each drove in one run for Gideon.
Naylor will travel to Twin Rivers for their next game on Tuesday.
Kennett 6, Twin Rivers 0
The Twin Rivers Royals have been on a tear lately, but a big first inning led the Kennett Indians past the Royals. Kennett scored four runs in the first inning, which helped them defeat the Royals 6-0 on Monday.
The Indians got on the board at the top of the first inning after Hayden Gilmore doubled, scoring two runs, followed by another double, scoring one run and Jackson Morrison singled, scoring one run. Kennett extended their lead with one run in the top of the fourth on a solo home run to right field by John Poole.
Gilmore earned the win for the Kennett Indians. The starting pitcher allowed zero hits and zero runs over seven innings, striking out 14 and walking one. Evan Bonifield took the loss for Twin Rivers Royals. The starting pitcher went one inning, allowing four runs on five hits, striking out two and walking none. Carter Williams pitched three innings in relief for Twin Rivers. He allowed three hits and one run while striking out none and walking three.
Kennett collected 11 hits in the game. Gilmore and Poole were a one-two punch in the lineup, as each drove in two runs for the Indians. Poole led Kennett with four hits in four at-bats, while Duncan collected two hits in five at-bats.
Twin Rivers will play at home on Tuesday against Naylor in their next game.