CAPE CENTRAL TENNIS SQUAD IMPROVES TO 2-0

Cape Central 7, Mehlville 2

Cape Girardeau Central High's boys tennis team opened its home schedule Wednesday with a 7-2 victory over Mehlville, improving the Tigers to 2-0 in dual matches on the young season.

"It was a beautiful day to play, and I thought we played pretty well," said Central coach Bud Craven.

The Tigers also won the JV match 16-0.

Central will receive a rugged test Friday when perennial Kentucky powerhouse Lone Oak visits. Last season, the Tigers beat Lone Oak for the first time in 15 years.

"It's going to be a very big challenge for us, but we've played well so far and we're going to be optimistic," Craven said.

Singles

Grant Harrison (M) def. Mick Metzger 8-3

Paul Miller (C) def. Bobby Wolf 9-8 (9-7)

Andy Tansil (C) def. Scott Young 8-4

Eric Daume (C) def. Matt Polizzi 8-2

Ed Roeger (C) def. Mark Young 8-2

Andrew Eaton (C) def. Dan Boyd 8-1

Doubles

Harrison-Wolf (M) def. Metzger-Miller 8-6

Daume-Eaton (C) def. M. Young-Boyd 8-2

Tansil-Paul Hagler (C) def. S. Young-Polizzi 8-1

JV winners: (singles) Hagler, Calvin Maginel, Matt Dodd, Sean Riches, Justin Lusk, Jeff Prost, Nathan Foley, Andrew Moreton, David Wallis, Chris Limbaugh, Michael Mercer; (doubles) Roeger-Riches, Maginel-Dodd, Lusk-Prost, Foley-Moreton, Clint Hoffman-Matt Edwards

BASEBALL

Sikeston 13, Kelly 1

BENTON -- Even though Kelly opened its season with a lopsided home loss, Hawks' coach Mike Scott was not overly discouraged.

"Sikeston has got a good team and we've got a lot of young kids. We basically had five kids making their first varsity start," said Scott. "We have a long way to go, but I like my club. I think we'll improve a lot as the season goes along."

Two Sikeston pitchers combined for a two-hitter and struck out 13. Starter Rick Fodge hurled four innings, allowing one hit and an unearned run while fanning seven. Billy Puckett fanned six and allowed one hit in three scoreless frames.

Kelly starter Justin Simpher took the loss. He allowed eight hits and seven runs in four innings.

Oran 26, Delta 0

ORAN -- Oran, third in last year's Class 1A state tournament, began the season with a bang by destroying visiting Delta in a five-inning, run-rule contest.

The Eagles banged out 16 hits, led by Philip Seyer, who homered twice and drove in six runs. Seyer finished with three hits.

Also getting three hits for the Eagles were Adam Friga and Travis Friga. Garrett Cook added two hits.

A. Friga and Seyer did the pitching, combining for a three-hitter. A. Friga got the win, allowing one hit while fanning seven over the first three innings. Seyer fanned five and gave up two hits over the final two frames.

GIRLS SOFTBALL

Delta 6, Oran 5

ORAN -- Freshman Rebecca Cook pitched a two-hitter and fanned 13 to lead Delta to a season-opening road victory.

Delta's Amy Wycoff and Andrea Dohogne both had two hits while Wycoff drove in a pair of runs.

"For the first game, I thought we played pretty well," said Anne Trieb, Delta's first-year coach. "Rebecca pitched a very good game."

BOYS GOLF

Sikeston 159, Cape Central 174

SIKESTON -- An inexperienced Central squad suffered a 15-stroke road loss in its season opener.

Central's Nick Harter was the overall medalist as he fired a 2-over 37 for nine holes.

Other scores for the Tigers were: Josh Miller, 44; Luke Oliver, 45; Paul York, 48; Drew Christian, 48.

Sikeston was led by Tanner Fritz with a 38 and Ryan Griggs with a 39.

"We've got some spots to fill from last year. We graduated three good players so we're kind of starting over," said Central coach Dick Wadlington. "But it was our first time out. We're going to get better.

"I was real proud of Nick Harter. He had a real good score."

GIRLS SOCCER

St. Pius 4, St. Vincent 0

FESTUS -- St. Vincent started its season with a road shutout loss at the hands of a strong St. Pius squad.