HIGH SCHOOL: CHS GIRLS, SECKMAN TO HOLD REMATCH

If the rematch between Cape Girardeau Central and Seckman is anything like the first game, then those two high school softball teams should be in for quite a battle today.

Central's Lady Tigers and Seckman's Jaguars will hook up in a Class 4A sectional contest at House Springs-Northwest, which comes a little more than two weeks after the Lady Tigers posted a thrilling 1-0 regular-season victory in Cape Girardeau.

Three other area squads will also be involved in sectional games today.

Perryville and St. Louis-Notre Dame play a 3A contest in Park Hills; Kelly and East Carter County meet in a 2A clash at Kelly's field in Benton; and Delta and Bakersfield have a 1A game in Koshnong.

All the sectional matchups are scheduled to start at 4 p.m. with the exception of the Perryville contest, which will begin at 4:30 p.m. Today's winners advance to Saturday's quarterfinal round.

Central (21-6) vs. Seckman (20-8)

It would be hard to imagine a team coming into a game with more momentum than the Lady Tigers, who received a brilliant, no-hit pitching performance from Cassie Gross during Monday's 4-0 district title win over Jackson.

But the Jaguars are also likely riding high after they beat Fox 3-2 Monday to capture their first district championship. And, based on the earlier meeting between the teams, Central coach Amy Blattel is expecting quite a matchup.

"It should be a really good game and we're pretty fired up," she said. "Seckman has a good, solid club. I really expect it to be a one-run game. I think the teams are that even."

There is no surprise in the fact Gross will get the starting nod today. She has been solid for Central all year and she hurled a shutout in that earlier win over Seckman, a game that saw the Lady Tigers push across the lone run in the fourth inning.

"Cassie is throwing really well," Blattel said. "She's mixing up her speeds and hitting her spots. She really worked hard over the summer and it's paid off."

Today's winner will play either Parkway South or Cor Jesu Saturday in the quarterfinals in Ballwin.

Perryville (18-9) vs. Notre Dame (22-5)

The Lady Pirates, who advanced to the quarterfinals last year, will be playing in their third straight sectional game after winning their third consecutive district title Saturday, beating Park Hills 6-2.

Perryville coach Lynn O'Neal knows his team will be facing a rugged challenge today because the Rebels handed the Lady Pirates a 7-2 loss during the regular season, but he's not about to count his girls out.

"It's a good honor to be going back (to sectionals) the third year in a row," he said. "Notre Dame is strong. They beat us in the Jackson Tournament, but we didn't play particularly well. They outplayed us that day, but in a one-game situation, anything can happen. I feel like we have a shot."

Megan Narrow, who pitched Perryville's district championship victory and has been the Lady Pirates ace hurler the past two years, will get the nod today.

The winner of today's contest will face either Lutheran South or Sullivan in Saturday's quarterfinals in Ballwin.

Kelly (18-2) vs. East Carter (11-3)

Kelly's tradition-rich program has won 15 straight district titles and the Lady Hawks will be heavily favored to advance to the quarterfinals.

"I feel very good about our team," said Kelly coach Melanie Heuring. "We're hitting the ball real well and our pitching is very strong. I think the key for us is to just keep playing like we have been."

The Lady Hawks, who finished third in the state last year, will send their ace hurler, Marissa Essner, to the mound today. She pitched Saturday's 7-1 district championship win over Notre Dame.

Today's winner will play either Clopton or Fatima in the quarterfinals Saturday in Ballwin.

Delta (6-13) vs. Bakersfield (10-8)

In their inaugural season of fall softball, the Lady Bobcats captured their first district crown by rolling past Naylor the only other team in the district 13-1 in five innings Friday.

"For the first year, I'm very pleased," said Delta coach Anne Trieb. "I think we're peaking at the right time, and we have nowhere to go but up. It's a great opportunity for the girls, especially our two seniors.

"I don't know all that much about Bakersfield, but it sounds like we're pretty evenly matched. I think it's going to be a very competitive game."

Rebecca Cook, who has been Delta's main pitcher all year and who hurled the district win, will be on the mound today.

The winner of today's game will take on either Morrisville or Fair Play in Saturday's quarterfinals in Ash Grove.