Softball team powers past East Prairie with 12 hits

Thursday, September 18, 2003
East Prairie's Catherine Maynard (12) waits for the throw as Sikeston's Paige Silverthorn steals third base in Wednesday's game (Photo by David Jenkins, Staff)

SIKESTON -- Sikeston's softball team found its swing on Wednesday afternoon, belting out 12 hits in a 15-0 win over East Prairie.

The Lady Bulldogs improve to 5-6 with the victory heading into Monday's game against Jackson.

"We did a really good job," said Sikeston coach Jennie Hobeck. "We went up there hitting. They put three different pitchers in there, so we had some different speed pitches to look at. The girls did a good job of waiting on the ball. It was a good team effort."

Kayla Crocker had a solid outing, picking up the win. She allowed two hits and no walks with three strikeouts.

"I was proud of Kayla Crocker," said Hobeck. "This was the first game she's pitched this year, and she gave a solid performance."

Paige Silverthorn had a big day offensively, batting 3-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Samantha Ross had a single and an RBI.

Haley Davis had a single and an RBI. Molly Brinkmeyer had a single and two RBIs. Crocker helped her own cause with a single and two RBIs.

Jessica Owens had two hits and an RBI, and Whitney Wallace contributed a single with two RBIs. Other hits came from Allison Blurton and Ashley Brown.

For East Prairie, Lydia Thomure was charged with the loss. The team's two hits came from Talia Thurman and Lacy Tatum. Sikeston scored one run in the first inning, five in the second, six in the third, then three in the fourth.

The Lady Bulldogs will host Jackson on Monday at 4 p.m.

BENTON -- Courtesy runner Brittney Ponder crossed the plate in the fifth inning, scoring the only run in Kelly's 1-0 win over Cape Central on Wednesday.

It was Cape's first loss to an area opponent. Earlier in the season, the Lady Tigers defeated Kelly 1-0 in nine innings.

"It was a very well-played game," said Kelly coach Rhonda Evans. "I couldn't ask for a better group of girls. In the middle of the season, this is exactly where I wanted to be. We've got a lot of injuries, but the girls have decided to come together and play as a team."

Michelle Collins improved her personal record to 5-0, pitching the complete-game shutout. She allowed five hits and four walks with one strikeout.

"She threw a real good game and had an outstanding defense behind her today," said Evans. "The girls made throws and made double plays. They were behind my pitcher 150 percent."

Offensively, Kelly was led by Jessica Burnett, who was 2-for-2 with the game-winning RBI.

"She was my leadoff batter today," said Evans. "We've been playing her down from the third to fifth spot, but moved her up today and she got the job done for us. She had an excellent catch out in center for two outs, then nailed it home to get the play at the plate. She saved us right there."

Other hits came from Bethany Beggs, Ashley Kern and Rachel Kline. For Cape Central, staff ace Megan McDonald was charged with the loss.

She allowed one earned run on five hits and one walk with seven strikeouts. She also paced Cape's offense, batting 2-for-3 with a double. Jamie Dement was 2-for-3 and Jessica Snell also provided a hit.

Kelly lost another starter to injury when second baseman Mindy Robert took a pitch to the hand on a bunt attempt. It's the fifth starter now out of the Lady Hawks' lineup.

Kelly (8-3) will host East Prairie today at 4 p.m.

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