CENTRAL SOFTBALL TUNES UP FOR DISTRICT WITH 7-3 WIN

TAMMS, Ill. -- Cape Girardeau Central High's softball team ended the regular season on a winning note Thursday.

Trailing 3-2 after six innings, Central scored three runs in the sixth and two in the seventh to pull away for a 7-3 victory over host Egyptian.

Central wrapped up the regular season with a mark of 19-6.

Kathy Michel earned win. In seven innings, she permitted one earned run on three hits and struck out six.

Central recorded 10 hits, led by Amber Voerg's 3-for-4 day that included two triples. Cassie Koch added two hits.

In the Class 4A, District 1 Tournament Saturday, host Central, the No. 2 seed, will meet No. 3 Poplar Bluff at noon (see story on Page 4B).

"We can't overlook Poplar Bluff, but I think the girls are up to the challenge of seeing Jackson in the championship game," said Central coach Don Lang.

Notre Dame 12, Goreville 2

Notre Dame finished its regular season at 10-10 Thursday by rolling past the visitors from Illinois in a six-inning, run-rule game.

Suzanne Schwartz pitched a five-hitter for the win. Notre Dame's seven-hit offensive attack was led by Laura Huber with two hits.

"It was senior day and it was a good way to end the regular season," said Notre Dame coach Jerry Grim.

The Lady Bulldogs open district play Saturday (see story on 4B).

Jackson 2, Kelly 0

BENTON -- Behind Gretchen King's 11-strike out display Thursday, Jackson concluded the regular season with a record of 19-6 with its shutout of host Kelly.

King shackled the Lady Hawks to just three hits in seven innings.

Jackson scattered six hits and scored runs in the first and second innings. Cherish Tillman and Melissa Palmer each contributed RBI singles.

"We had a great regular season," said Jackson coach Becky Riney, who added that her team is eager to play its opening Class 4A district game at 10 a.m. Saturday against Sikeston (see story on 4B).

Perryville 5, Ste. Genevieve 0

PERRYVILLE -- Carrie Preston recorded the shutout as Perryville topped visiting Ste. Genevieve Thursday.

Preston allowed five hits and struck out five.

The Lady Pirates, who totaled three hits, moved to 17-9. Julie Preston had a two-RBI double.

Herculaneum 12, St. Vincent 11

HERCULANEUM -- Herculaneum almost experienced a brown-out, but escaped with a one-run victory in eight innings Thursday.

Amanda Brown (2-for-4), Stephanie Brown (3-for-5), Jean Brown (2-for-4) and Monica Wieth (1-for-3, double, 3 RBI) were the offensive stars for the Squaws, who dropped to 4-14 against one of Jefferson County's top teams.

St. Vincent's JV won 12-3. Alison Moll was 2-for-2 with three RBIs and two runs batted in.

Volleyball

Jackson 15-13-15, Notre Dame 12-15-5

JACKSON -- After two long games, Jackson asserted control in the third and beat visiting Notre Dame Thursday.

The Lady Indians improved their mark to 15-2-2; Notre Dame is now 11-8-2.

Jackson's Heather Brown had 33 assists and nine blocks, Chrissi Glastetter 16 kills and seven blocks, Diane Mirley 19 digs and two service aces and Andrea Koepper 14 kills and six blocks.

Notre Dame's Kelly Canfield tallied 11 kills, Erin Vickery added 10 and Michelle Hency had six.

Notre Dame's JV team won 11-15, 15-5, 15-7 and its freshmen won 15-3, 15-1.

Cape Central 14-15-15, Caruthersville 16-10-11

Jessica Balogh had 13 kills and Katie Cozby made 15 digs as the Tigers improved 3-9-2.

"Cozby just played an incredible game defensively," Central coach April Morgan-McClintock said. "I think we're finally starting to come together."

Chaffee 15-15, Charleston 2-5

CHAFFEE -- Chaffee brushed aside visiting Charleston easily Thursday and improved its record to 4-8.

Chaffee's Emily Siebert distributed four assists and Jill Little totaled nine kills.

Chaffee's JV squad lost 3-15, 9-15.

Perryville 5-15-17, Crystal City 15-8-15

PERRYVILLE -- Perryville evened its record at 9-9-2 Thursday with a hard-fought win at home.

Leading the Lady Pirates were Kristen Taylor (10 points, 9 digs), Nicole Blechle (7 points, 11 assists), Shannon Dreyer (11 assists), Jamie Amberger (6 kills) and Natalie Bohnert (6 kills).

Perryville's JV won 15-10, 15-16.

St. Vincent 15-15, Grandview 4-7

PERRYVILLE -- Though several St. Vincent players were taken ill with a virus that forced the closing of the school today, the ailing Squaws still beat visiting Grandview Thursday.

St. Vincent is now 6-9-4. Casey Kirn had 12 assists and Jessica Lakenan added six kills.

Bell City 15-15, Scott City 0-4

BELL CITY -- Bell City breezed past visiting Scott City Thursday and upped its record to 12-6.

Courtney Brockmeyer led the Lady Cubs with 13 kills and Kelly Steiner delivered eight assists.

Leopold 15-15, Oran 4-10.

ORAN -- Leopold improved to 11-4-1 by winning on the road Thursday.

Emily Broshuis had seven kills while Hannah Jansen added five. Kelly Wesbecher contributed eighth assists and three kills while Sarah Gowen added four assists and three kills.

Leopold's JV prevailed 15-6, 12-15, 16-14.

Boys Soccer

Cape Central 1, Poplar Bluff 0

POPLAR BLUFF -- Chris Thompson scored on a rebound of Brett McNabb's shot 33 minutes into the second half to give the Tigers (5-8-2) a road victory Thursday.

McNabb's shot deflected off the keeper's hands and the ball settled in the crease as both teams scrambled. Thompson poked it into the net.

Trevor Blattner recorded the shutout.

Central's JV tied Poplar Bluff 2-2.

Central hosts Belleville Althoff at 11 a.m. Saturday at Lou Muegge Field.

Tennis

Cape Central 9, Caruthersville 0

Cape Central's dual match record remains unblemished after its dismantling of Caruthersville Thursday. The Lady Tigers improved to 11-0.

Central's JV team won 3-0.

Singles

1. Elaine Hess (CC) def. Erin Bullington 8-0

2. Liz Russell (CC) def. Neesaan Puangsuvan 8-1

3. Lara Golike (CC) def Beth Prost 8-2

4. Sarah Chaudhari (CC) def. April Hepler 8-1

5. Kelley Green (CC) def. Laura Reno 8-1

6. Jessica Burns (CC) def. Courtney Thompson 8-0

Doubles

1. Russell-Golike (CC) def. Bullington-Puangsuvan 8-1

2. Hess-Green (CC) def. Prost-Hepler 8-0

3. Chaudhari-Burns (CC) def. Reno-Thompson 8-0

Central JV winners: Rebecca Bieser, Jessica Campbell, Bieser-Leslie Wagoner