Central shines against Jackson, wins league

All was right in the world of the Tigers.

For the first time in Central High School history, the girls' softball team is the SEMO Conference champion. Its 9-0 win Wednesday came on senior night against the Tigers' biggest rival, Jackson (7-17), and wrapped up the league title.

"It's really exciting to win the conference in our last game at home," senior Laura Beard said.

Junior Megan McDonald got the call for the Tigers (18-5) and she was more than up to the challenge. McDonald was only one error away from a perfect game. She struck out 15 batters in a complete game no-hitter.

"Our defense really picked me up and our hitting got going too," McDonald said of her no-hitter.

After four innings, neither team had a hit. Beard finally changed that in the fifth with a lead-off double. The hit was the first of the game for the Tigers and after Beard eventually came around to score, the Tigers never looked back.

"We started slow but when of us gets a hit we all seem to pick it up," Beard said of her offensive spark.

Coach Amy Blattel says that's nothing unusual -- the Tigers have done that all season.

"They've all chipped in at one time or another and that's going to help us out in postseason play," Blattel said. "But Laura has been on fire for us lately. She makes plays when we need her to."

Alex Wieser led off the sixth with a triple and after a walk and a passed ball she scored easily. Four batters later the bases were loaded for senior Heather Hobbs and appropriately, on senior night, she delivered a two-run double.

"Anytime you win the conference it's a big honor," athletic director Terry Kitchen said. "These girls have worked really hard and the coaches have done and excellent job with them."

The Tigers have four seniors this year: Samantha Elliot, Wieser, Beard, and Hobbs. Each had a hand in the win.

"These girls will always have a special place in my heart. They've really raised the bar for the next group coming in," Blattel said.

Starter Elizabeth Nussbaum matched McDonald pitch for pitch through the first four innings. Nussbaum had six strikeouts and McDonald had eight and both had a no-hitter going. But it was downhill from there.

"We made one error and we fell apart," Jackson coach Julie Rushing said.

McDonald struck out six in a row at one point and sat down her first 11. In the fourth with two outs, a routine grounder to first was booted by junior Megan Kistner and allowed Jackson's only baserunner of the night.

"She's a player," Blattel said of her pitcher.