Sikeston netters down Dexter; NMCC softball sweeps Caruthersville

DEXTER

The Sikeston tennis team improved to 4-3 on the season with a 6-3 win over Dexter on Wednesday.

Sikeston's top four singles players won along with the No. 1 and No. 2 doubles teams.

"It's great to get a win - at this time of the year you like to win and get ready for district play," said Sikeston tennis coach Brian James. "We're going to have six matches in the next week and its going to be a big stretch for us. We'll get a chance to see where we stand and try to improve and get ready for districts."

In singles, Sikeston's Stephen Pobst beat Drew Wethington 8-0, No. 2 Adam Hahs beat Amos Smith 9-7, No. 3 Ryne Vickery beat Jon Hubbard 8-5 and No. 4 Peter Jones beat Nathan Long 8-3.

Garrett Lambert lost to Dexter's Chris Carr 2-8 and No. 6 Aaron Senter lost to Aaron Hayes 6-8.

In doubles, Pobst-Hahs beat Wethington-Smith 8-4 and Vickery-Jones beat Hubbard-Long 8-3.

Lambert-Senter lost their doubles match to Carr-Hayes 3-8.

Sikeston's Chris Robey and Isaac Johnson won their junior varsity matches. In JV doubles, Robey teamed up with Ryan Davis and Kyle Weeks and Kyle Howard teamed up to win matches.

Sikeston will host Cape Central today at 4 p.m.

"It's going to be a big test for us," said James. "They're the favorite to win 4A and they've got a really strong team this year."

* VARSITY SOFTBALL

Chaffee 10, Scott City 9

CHAFFEE - Chaffee's softball team rallied from a seven-run deficit in the sixth inning on Wednesday to squeak past Scott City, 10-9.

It's the third time the Lady Devils have defeated Scott City this year, and in two of those wins, Chaffee has overcome a large deficit to beat the Lady Rams by one run.

"A 10-run rally in the bottom of the sixth is unbelievable," said Chaffee coach Mark Devenport. "I really feel for Scott City. They're a good group of girls and are very well coached. It's tough to beat a good team three times, and we were very fortunate to come out of this one."

After scoring three runs in the first inning and four in the second, Scott City appeared to have the game in hand with staff ace Shana Wadlington on the mound.

The sophomore standout took a two-hitter into the sixth before Chaffee's offense exploded with 10 runs. In the game, Wadlington allowed nine hits and three walks with three strikeouts.

Chaffee's Ashley Pepple picked up the win, allowing three earned runs on 10 hits and five walks. She recorded four strikeouts.

Offensively, the Lady Devils were led by Kate Pfefferkorn, who batted 3-for-3 and was just one hit shy of hitting for the cycle. Pepple went 2-for-3. Other Chaffee hits came from Mallory Kiefer, Courtney Louchs, Abby Walker and Morgan Kiefer.

Scott City saw two hits each from Wadlington, Heuiser, Lynn and Smith.

Chaffee (9-1) will be tested again today when they travel to meet area power Kelly at 4 p.m.

"I'm hoping we can come out and play well," said Devenport. "Last year we didn't play well, and (Kelly) really put it on us. We want to give them a good ballgame."

Kelly 8, Twin Rivers 2

BENTON - Junior Natalie Lewer once again was the Jack-of-all-trades for Kelly's softball team on Wednesday afternoon, leading the Lady Hawks to an 8-2 win over a solid Twin Rivers team on the mound and at the plate.

In her seven innings of work, she allowed four hits with no walks and nine strikeouts.

Offensively, she batted 3-for-4 with an RBI.

"I thought we played really well today," said Kelly coach Melanie Heuring. "We hit all the way up and down the lineup and played pretty good defense. We like playing better teams because we feel it makes us play a lot better."

Monica Senciboy was 2-for-4. Kelly also saw hits from Dana Essner, Ashley Kern, Ashley Rockett, and Bethany Beggs.

Twin Rivers' Stockton was charged with the loss, allowing nine hits and four walks with two strikeouts.

Jarvis led the Lady Royals at the plate, batting 2-for-3.

Every spring season, Kelly sits out its seniors to prepare next year's seniors for the fall season. Having compiled a 9-1 record so far, Heuring is pleased with her spring team's progress and likes the potential of her fall squad.

"I've got people in positions that I would like to see them in next year," she explained. "I think my pitchers are doing really well also."

Kelly will host Chaffee today at 4 p.m.

NMCC 15, Caruthersville 0

NMCC 3, Caruthersville 2

NEW MADRID - The New Madrid County Central Lady Eagles softball team swept a double-header from Caruthersville on Wednesday.

NMCC (12-1) won the first game 15-0 behind a perfect game by Heather Robey. She struck out 11 of the 12 batters she faced. This season, Robey is 8-1 and has thrown two no-hitters, six one-hitters and one perfect game.

She also led the way offensively, going 3-4.

Morgan Hodges added two hits for the Lady Eagles. Maradale Myers, Michele Roberts, Megan Higgerson, Lauren Daniels and Ashley Gantner all had one hit.

Caruthersville's Jamie Taylor took the loss.

In the second game, NMCC won 3-2.

Sarah Fowler was the winning pitcher, throwing all five innings and allowing two runs off two hits with two walks and a strikeout.

"Heather is always going to throw real well, and I was pleasantly surprised with the way Sarah threw today," said NMCC head coach Steve Rogers. "We played pretty good defense behind both pitchers, and it led to two wins. It was a gorgeous day to play and all the girls got after it."

Christine Jones had the game-winning hit in the bottom of the fourth to score Megan Lange. Sarah Bennett also had a hit.

Tracy Stewart took the loss for Caruthersville.

NMCC will host Charleston today at 4 p.m.

"They might be the most improved team in the area," said Rogers of Charleston. "Heather is going to throw both of them. She only threw five innings today, so she shouldn't be too tired."