CENTRAL FALLS SHORT IN DISTRICT TENNIS

ST. LOUIS -- The dreams of a second consecutive district championship for Cape Girardeau Central High's boys tennis team fizzled out Wednesday during the Class 4A, District 1 Tournament at the Dwight Davis Tennis Center in Forest Park.

Central finished fifth out of 11 teams with 15 points, well off the pace set by St. Louis University High, which captured the title with 25 points. Poplar Bluff was a strong second with 23 points as the Mules joined SLUH as qualifiers for next week's sectional team competition.

"It didn't go as well as we had hoped," said Central coach Bud Craven, whose squad had an undefeated dual-match season. "We faced some very good competition. But our team still has a lot to be proud of this year."

And the Tigers still were able to make their mark in the district as their No. 1 doubles team of Trevor Blattner and Andy Tansil placed second to qualify for the state tournament May 25-26 in Springfield, Mo. The top two finishers in both singles and doubles advance to state.

Blattner, who will be making his second straight appearance in the state meet, and Tansil rolled into the finals, where they lost to Poplar Bluff's Kandarp Bhatt and Josh Riggs 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Central's No. 2 doubles team of Andrew Eaton and Eric Daume advanced to the semifinals before falling to a squad from Farmington 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

The Tigers' two singles players, No. 1 James Russell and No. 2 Paul Miller, both lost in straight sets in the first round.

BASEBALL

Jackson 12, Scott City 2

SCOTT CITY, Mo. -- Jackson ace Lance Limbaugh struck out 12 batters and allowed only four hits as the Indians dominated the Rams in a six-inning, run-rule affair.

Limbaugh allowed two runs, but both were unearned.

Michael Birk went 3-for-5 and drove in three runs to pace Jackson's 11-hit attack. Jason Brown went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, Patrick Kohm was 2-for-4 and Limbaugh added two RBIs.

Jason Umfleet was the losing hurler. He went 4 2/3 innings and allowed 11 runs, five earned, on nine hits and two walks. He hit two batters and struck out one.

Kelly 10, Perryville 1

BENTON, Mo. -- Kelly turned in its second straight impressive performance as the Hawks routed Perryville.

Garrett Stricker pitched 5 1/3 innings for the win. He allowed four hits and one run while striking out four and walking four. Tim Schmitt finished up and retired all five batters he faced.

Justin Simpher went 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs. Jon Heuring doubled twice and Barry Ziegler added two hits.

Also for Kelly, Chase Deason delivered four RBIs.

Oran 12, Hayti 0

HAYTI, Mo. -- Adam Friga threw a five-inning no-hitter as Oran ripped Hayti.

Friga, who faced two over the minimum, struck out six and walked two.

Garrett Cook went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a run batted in for Oran (16-5), while Ryne Wood went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs.

Oak Ridge 7, Charleston 6

OAK RIDGE, Mo. -- Charleston scored five runs in the top of the seventh to tie the game at six, but Ben Fadler drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the seventh to win it for Oak Ridge.

Fadler got the win on the mound for Oak Ridge (10-6), although he was roughed up in his only inning of work.

Beau Morrison went six innings and allowed three runs, all unearned, on three hits and two walks.

Zach Ruesler went 3-for-3 with a solo home run and two runs batted in. Clayton Ruesler went 2-for-3.

Advance 14, Bloomfield 2

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Aaron Cantrell went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and four runs batted in Advance improved to 8-9 with a five-inning, run-rule rout.

Jason Bahr and Andrew Jenkins both went 2-for-3. Bahr had two doubles and two stolen bases, while Jenkins doubled and drove home two.

Adam Rainey picked up the win. He allowed only one hit and four walks while striking out seven.

GOLF

St. Vincent nabs title

BONNE TERRE, Mo. -- St. Vincent turned in an eye-opening performance to win the Jefferson County Conference Tournament at Terre du Lac.

The Indians, who are one of the favorites for next week's Class 1A state tourney, captured the title in the eight-team event by firing a 289, which is 1-over-par.

"I've never seen a score like that before," said St. Vincent coach Tom Prost. "Just when I thought we were peaking out we do this. The kids were really excited and so was I."

Festus was a distant second at 325. Perryville finished fifth at 343.

St. Vincent captured the top four individual spots and had six golfers earn all-conference honors by finishing in the top 15.

Wes Richardet was the medalist with a 2-under 70. Jon Paulus was second at even-par 72, with Craig Schumer third at 1-over 73 and Mark Gotto fourth at 2-over 74.

Also for the Indians, Adam Prost was 10th (82) and Andrew Prost 15th (85).

SOFTBALL

Oak Ridge 14, Charleston 2

OAK RIDGE, Mo. -- Oak Ridge ended its season with a five-inning romp.

The Lady Jays (2-12) had just six hits but benefited from 17 Charleston walks. Julie Myers paced Oak Ridge's offense with two hits and two RBIs.

Laura Glueck was the winning hurler, allowing four hits.