Central blanks Jackson, reaches .500 mark

Cape Central got a strong pitching performance from Holly Schurbusch to blank arch-rival Jackson 3-0 in a SEMO Conference softball game at Arena Park Wednesday.

After struggling early in the season, the Lady Tigers have climbed back to the .500 mark at 11-11 and appear to be peaking at the right time.

"A few weeks ago, we weren't doing much of anything, except playing defense, but I thought we would get it going," said Cape Central coach Amy Blattel. "Well, we're getting it going and we're getting it going at the right time."

District playoffs begin next week with seeds to be set today.

Schurbusch, backed by a tight Lady Tiger defense which committed only one error, went the distance, allowing the two hits with five strikeouts and two walks.

Cape Central scored what proved to be the winning tally in the second inning.

Ashley Foutch, leading off the inning, slapped a single up the middle and stole second. With one out, Samantha Elliott singled to drive home Foutch and send the Lady Tigers up 1-0.

Jackson (10-13) tried to manufacture the tying run in the top of the sixth.

With one out, Jackson's speedy center fielder Jeanna Bolen reached on a fielder's choice as designated hitter Ami Illers was forced out at second base for the second out of the frame.

Bolen stole second and third, then tried to come home on a delayed steal attempt, but was cut down at the plate to end the Lady Indians only serious threat.

Said Jackson coach Julie Rushing, "We only had two hits, and when you don't hit you don't get fired up and into the game. My girls just weren't up from the very beginning."

The Lady Tigers added two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth to wrap up the victory.

Shortstop Megan McDonald led off the inning with a booming triple to deep left field and later crossed the plate on Foutch's spinning dribbler down the first-base line that was mishandled. Jessi Snell's single plated Elliott who had singled and advanced to second on a fielder's choice with the Lady Tigers' final run.

Jackson starter Ashley Snell, suffered the complete-game loss as she gave up eight hits and struck out six with no walks.

Leading the Cape Central offense were Elliott and Alex Wieser with two hits each. Illers and Chantel Childers split the Lady Indian hits.

Jackson (6-6) won the junior varsity game 18-7.

Elizabeth Nussbaum picked up the win for Jackson, while teammate Trisha Kluesner went 4-for-4 with a triple and Rachel Peart went 3-for-3 with a double.