SHS netters open with victory

DEXTER -- The Sikeston tennis team opened its season with a 7-2 victory against Dexter on Thursday.

Sikeston swept the doubles competition and only dropped two singles matches on the sunny day.

"We had a beautiful day to play our first match," said Sikeston coach Brian James. "We aren't real sharp yet, but we'll get better. We haven't had a whole lot of practice time because of some weather and other things, but there is a lot of potential with this team. We've got to learn to be patient and a lot more consistent, but I think we'll get there.

"I really feel we'll be very strong from top to bottom of the varsity lineup. I'll keep tinkering with some combinations to figure out our best lineup. Overall, I'm pleased to beat Dexter. They've got some fine athletes and they all play extremely hard."

Here are the results from Thursday's match.

Singles

1. Logan Hampton lost to Thomas Fowler, 2-8

2. Charlie Jones lost to Gary Corse, 6-8

3. Clayton Matthews def. Dusty Potter, 8-2

4. Sam Zhao def. Anthony Alsup, 8-0

5. Seth Colwick def. James Fowler, 8-4

6. Justin Deere def. Alex Watkins, 8-1

Doubles

1. Matthews/Zhao def. Corse/J. Fowler, 8-4

2. Jones/Stuart Strom def. T. Fowler/Alsup, 8-1

3. Hampton/Deere def. Potter/Watkins, 8-3

JV winners:

Adam Martin, Stuart Strom in singles; Colwick/Martin and Andrew Wallace/

Landon Hampton in doubles.

SOCCER

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston girls soccer team posted a 4-0 shutout of Anna-

Jonesboro on Thursday at the Sikeston Complex.

The Lady Bulldogs raced out to a 4-0 lead in the first half and were never threatened.

"We got on them pretty quick," said Sikeston coach Derrick Long. "We got a little sloppy in the second half and didn't get a lot of quality shots. It wasn't our best showing, but we'll take it. Getting Abbi Keefer back is a plus. She's starting to get her feet wet again. Hopefully in a couple more games she'll be back to her old self."

Jennifer Millington got the scoring started with a goal on an assist from Jordi Ferrell at the 8:00 mark.

Ferrell then scored on an assist from Emily Eaves three minutes later. Eaves scored a goal five minutes later on an assist from Abbi Keefer.

Ashley Angle rounded out the scoring with a goal on an assist from Ariel Reynolds at the 35:00 mark.

Amber Minner recorded six saves in goal. Sikeston out-shot A-J 28-6.

The Lady Bulldogs improve to 4-2 and will be back in action on Monday at Kennett at 4 p.m.

SOFTBALL

OAK RIDGE -- The New Madrid County Central softball team improved to 3-1 with a three inning rout of Oak Ridge.

Brittney Masterson was the winning pitcher, allowing two hits and one walk with three strikeouts.

Oak Ridge's pitchers allowed 13 walks and hit three batters.

NMCC got hits from Jessica Ruedrich, Shelby Lawrence and Masterson.

NMCC will play at Twin Rivers today at 4 p.m.

BASEBALL

CHAFFEE -- The Chaffee Red Devils were able to hold off a late rally by Poplar Bluff to pick up another SEMO Conference victory.

Chaffee led 4-0 after the first two innings and led 8-4 after six.

Adam Uhrhan was the winning pitcher, throwing 6 2/3 innings and allowing six runs (two earned) off seven hits and four walks with four strikeouts. Chris Hanback recorded the final out for the save.

Poplar Bluff's Mark Magruder took the loss.

Hanback went 2-3 with two RBIs and a double. Jerrod Steger was 2-3 with three RBIs and a double. Josh Steger, Andy Hendrix and Zach McDaniel all had two hits. Hendrix also had a double.

Chaffee committed three errors in the game, which continues to hurt the team.

"We swung the bats well, but we're stranding way too many runners," said Chaffee coach Brian Horrell. "We've got to find a way to cash in when we get runners on. On defense, every time we make a boo-boo, teams seem to make us pay. We need to use our gloves and help our pitching staff out a little bit."

Chaffee improves to 4-2 and 2-2 in conference play. The Red Devils will host Jackson on Tuesday in another conference clash.