AREA ROUNDUP: CENTRAL SOFTBALL NIPS NOTRE DAME

Cape Girardeau Central's Lady Tigers and Notre Dame's Lady Bulldogs waged a pitching duel as the area high school softball season got under way Wednesday afternoon.

With Kathy Michel pitching a six-hitter, the Lady Tigers slipped past the Lady Bulldogs 2-1 at Arena Park.

Notre Dame'e Jill Huber allowed just five hits in a losing effort. Both hurlers struck out three and walked two.

"It was a good game by both teams and both pitchers did a very good job," said Central coach Don Lang.

Notre Dame coach Jerry Grim agreed, saying, "It was a very well-pitched game and good game overall to start the season."

Central scored a run in the second and Michel's RBI single plated the Lady Tigers' other run in the fourth.

Notre Dame got its only run in the seventh on an RBI ground out by Ashley Koettker.

Central also won the JV 12-2. Cassie Gross was the winning pitcher.

The Lady Bulldogs visit Poplar Bluff today while the Lady Tigers compete in the Cor Jesu Tournament in St. Louis Friday and Saturday.

Notre Dame (SL) 3, Jackson 2

ST. LOUIS -- Jackson opened its season Wednesday with a narrow road loss to Notre Dame of St. Louis.

Beth Becker allowed just four hits and two earned runs. Jackson only had two hits.

"Both teams played pretty well and both pitchers did a really good job," said Jackson coach Becky Riney. "Notre Dame has a strong team."

Jackson plays at Hillsboro today.

St. Pius 15, St. Vincent 1

FESTUS -- St. Vincent's first-ever fall softball game ended in a lopsided loss on the road Wednesday.

The Squaws, who are playing fall softball for the first time this year, will host Crystal City today.

GIRLS TENNIS

Jackson 9, Chaffee 0

JACKSON -- Jackson opened the 1998 season Wednesday by blanking visiting Chaffee.

Emily O'Loughlin, Abbie Propst, Amy Lefebvre, Nicole Poythress, Sarah Propst and Brooke Stephens all won in both singles and doubles.

Jackson 9, Chaffee 0

Singles

Emily O'Loughlin def. Betsy Rice 8-1

Abbie Propst def. Kristin Bailey 8-2

Amy Lefebvre def. Jenine Sadler 8-1

Nicole Poythress def. Michelle Crowden 8-6

Sarah Propst def. Amy Trost 8-0

Brooke Stephens def. Courtney Harris 8-0

Doubles

O'Loughlon-A. Propst def. Rice-Bailey 8-1

Lefebvre-Poythress def. Sadler-Crowden 8-0

S. Propst-Brooke Stephens def. Trost-Harris 8-0

JV winner: (Jackson) Maggie Martin