AREA SOFTBALL TEAMS HOST SECTIONAL GAMES

Three area high school softball teams are hoping the home-field advantage will help them continue their seasons.

Jackson, Perryville and Kelly will all host sectional playoff games today, with the winners earning berths in Saturday's quarterfinals that will be played in the St. Louis area.

Jackson (21-6) will face Hillsboro (21-5) in Class 4A action at 6 p.m. at the Jackson City Park.

Perryville (19-9) will take on St. Pius of Festus (18-5) in Class 3A play at 4:30 p.m. at the Perryville City Park.

Kelly (14-7) will play East Carter County (18-1) in a Class 2A contest at 4 p.m. at Kelly High School.

"We're really excited about the game," said Jackson coach Becky Riney. "Playing in this game is a first for me and the kids and we're really looking forward to it."

Hillsboro pulled off a major upset Wednesday by beating Seckman 4-1 in a rain-delayed district final. Seckman was one of the top teams in the St. Louis area and was considered a serious contender for the state title.

Jackson beat Hillsboro twice during the regular season, 7-4 and 2-1, but Riney knows those results will mean little today.

"They've got a good team with a very good pitcher," she said. "It should be an excellent game."

Based on regular-season play, Perryville and St. Pius figure to wage quite a battle in the 3A sectional. The squads split two meetings this year, Perryville winning 4-2 and St. Pius prevailing 4-1.

"They've got a good team, with strong pitching" said Perryville coach Lynn O'Neil. "But I feel like we're playing well. We didn't really hit the ball as well as we can the first two times we played them so I'm hoping we can hit better. But it should be a really good game."

That also should be the case for the 2A sectional. Kelly is the defending 2A state champion, but the Lady Hawks figure to receive quite a challenge from a strong East Carter County team that run-ruled the Lady Hawks last spring. The teams have not met this fall.

"East Carter has an excellent team so it should be a really good game," said Kelly coach Rhonda Evans. "We're looking forward to it."

Sectional Softball

Today's Games

Class 4A

Hillsboro (21-5) at Jackson (21-6), 6:30 p.m.

Class 3A

St. Pius (18-5) at Perryville (19-9), 4:30 p.m.

Class 2A

East Carter Co. (18-1) at Kelly (14-7), 4 p.m.