CAPE CENTRAL, ND PITCHERS PROVE TO BE UNHITTABLE

Cape Girardeau Central High School softball pitcher Cassie Gross came ever so close to perfection Monday.

Gross fired a five-inning no-hitter, with only one Delta runner reaching base, as the Lady Tigers knocked off the visiting Lady Bobcats 10-0 in a game stopped after the top of the fifth by the 10-run rule.

Delta's lone runner reached on a walk as Gross struck out nine in helping the Lady Tigers end the regular season with a 19-6 record. Central will host the Class 4A, District 1 Tournament later this week.

Central's 10-hit attack was led by Sarah Muench, who had three hits and drove in three runs. Megan McDonald had two hits and two RBIs while Trisha Klipfel added two hits.

"It's a good win for us to go into districts with," said Central coach Amy Blattel. "We got our bats going and Cassie pitched really well."

Central romped in the JV game 16-1. Megan Kistner was the winning pitcher.

Notre Dame 7, Farmington 1

The Lady Bulldogs continued to build momentum for the upcoming 2A district tournament as they received a combined no-hit pitching performance in improving to 16-8.

Mika Williamson received credit for the victory as she allowed the only run over the first four innings. Ramona Blankenship hurled the final three frames.

Notre Dame had 12 hits, led by Sara Berkbigler with three. Laura Weissmueller added two.

Kelly 3, Jackson 2

BENTON, Mo. -- In a 10-inning thriller, Kelly slipped past Jackson to finish off a perfect SEMO Conference season.

The Lady Hawks wound up the regular season with a 16-2 overall record and a 6-0 league mark as they'll carry plenty of momentum into the 2A district that will be played later this week in East Prairie.

"We had a very good (regular) season, and to go unbeaten in the conference is a big accomplishment," said Kelly coach Melanie Heuring.

In the bottom of the 10th, Bridgett Riley hit a one-out triple. After two walks loaded the bases, pinch-runner Sarah Essner scored on a ground ball to shortstop by Allison Johnson.

Kelly's Marissa Essner pitched all 10 innings, allowing eight hits and one earned run. She fanned four and walked two.

Jackson's Casi Childers also hurled a complete game, giving up 10 hits. The Lady Indians fell to 11-15.

Riley, Marissa Essner and Dana Essner all had two hits for the Lady Hawks.

VOLLEYBALL

Meadow Heights 15-15

Perryville 4-3

PATTON, Mo. -- Meadow Heights keeps piling up the victories. The Lady Panthers are now 22-1 after rolling past Perryville.

Ashley Brune had 12 digs, four kills and two service aces to lead the Lady Panthers. Holly Boyd contributed nine digs, four kills and three kill-blocks; Jessica Bollinger had eight digs, four kills and three kill-blocks; and Jami Fulton added 12 assists and four digs.

For Perryville (6-13), Andrea Buerck had six assists and three service points; Natalie Bohnert had five digs and three blocks; and Katie Kutz added five digs and two kills.

Meadow Heights won the JV match 15-12, 15-2.

Leopold 15-15

Chaffee 6-4

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Leopold improved to 12-4-3 by cruising past Chaffee.

Kyla Horrell led a balanced attack with four kills while Melissa Thele and Jessica Bollinger each had three.

Chaffee (0-9) got four kills from both Morgan Kiefer and Brooke McFerren. Ashley Smith had 14 assists.

Leopold's JV prevailed 15-12, 15-11.

Bell City 15-16

Dexter 9-14

PUXICO, Mo. -- Seventh-seeded Bell City pulled off an upset of second-seeded Dexter during the first round of the Stoddard County Tournament.

Katie Spears had 10 kills for the Lady Cubs while Brooke Stephens had seven kills and nine digs. Also for Bell City, Whitney Abner recorded 19 assists and seven service points while Ashley Painton and Bridgette Bollinger both added seven service points.

"We had some girls really step up and play well," said Bell City coach Carl Ritter. "It was a good win for us."

Bell City will play either Bloomfield or Woodland in Thursday's semifinals.

Advance 15-15

Richland 6-12

PUXICO, Mo. -- In another first-round Stoddard County Tournament match, No. 4 seed Advance knocked off No. 5 Richland.

Dana Williams had 13 kills and three blocks for the Lady Hornets. Emily Johnson had nine digs and three blocks while Amber Bond added 14 assists and Shelby Becker served three aces.

Advance will play top-seeded Bernie in the semifinals.

GIRLS TENNIS

Jackson 6, Poplar Bluff 3

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Jackson finished off a perfect regular season as the Lady Indians won their 13th dual match by beating a tough Poplar Bluff squad.

"It's a pretty good feeling. The girls did a great job all year," said Jackson coach Linda Adams.

The Lady Indians will look to continue their success Thursday when the 4A, District 1 Tournament is held on Southeast Missouri State University's new courts. The tourney was originally scheduled to be played in Farmington but has been moved.

Jackson's JV posted a 7-6 victory.

Singles

Megan Bridges (PB) def. Kim Anderson 8-1

Nichole Poythress (J) def. Amanda Wittenberg 8-6

Lauren Smith (PB) def. Sarah Propst 8-3

Katie Domian (J) def. Sarah Walsh 8-5

Maggie Martin (J) def. Natalie McDonald 8-2

Carly Vogelsang (J) def. Laura Nunnery 8-4

Doubles

Anderson-Poythress (J) def. Wittenberg-Smith 8-1

Bridges-Walsh (PB) def. Propst-Domian 8-3

Martin-Vogelsang (J) def. McDonald-Nunnery 8-2

Jackson JV winners: (singles) Kelly Mitchell, Jessica Nelson, Lauren Everett, Ashley Seabaugh; (doubles) Mitchell-Everett, Mandy Burlbaugh-Carrie Golden, Nelson-Seabaugh

Sikeston 8, Cape Central 1

After entering the season having won 50 straight dual matches, the Lady Tigers wound up the campaign with a 1-10 record after losing to Sikeston.

"I know the record was bad, but the girls were great to work with," said Craven, whose squad will compete in Thursday's 4A district tourney.

Central's JV prevailed 9-3.

Singles

Elizabeth Killion (S) def. Hannah Weir 8-0

Sarah Strom (S) def. Lauren Sulser 8-2

Heather Hester (S) def. Allison Campbell 8-5

Lindsay Leible (S) def. Carrie Eller 8-4

Valerie Haman (S) def. Megan Ladd 8-2

Sara Burns (C) def. Kellee Manley 8-1

Doubles

Strom-Hester (S) def. Campbell-Ladd 8-4

Leible-Haman (S) def. Eller-Burns 8-5

Killion-Manley (S) def. Weir-Sulser 8-3

Central JV winners: (singles) Allie McGinty, Katie Maginel, Erika Foley, Lacey Landgraf, Sonya Tikoo, Merritt Gerlach, Michaelyn Burns; (doubles) Lauren Parrent-Maginel, Burns-Heidi Pilsner, Kelly Zinn-Erin Hildebrand