High school roundup: Jackson softball takes second at Cor Jesu tourney

The Jackson softball team finished second in the Cor Jesu Academy Invitational Tournament following a 3-2 loss to Owasso, Oklahoma, in Saturday's championship game at the Kirkwood Athletics Complex in the suburban St. Louis area.

Sicily Johnston took the loss in the circle for the Indians in the loss to the Rams.

"We played hard," Jackson coach Ashley Litzelfelner said. "It was a great game to watch. After watching Owasso's strength last year, we knew what we were up against. We played very well on the field, making big plays when we needed them."

Taylor Kirn went 2 for 3 at the plate and hit a double that drove in what would be the Indians' only two runs in the first inning.

"Taylor Kirn was the highlight of the game," Litzelfelner said. "Her at-bat was big and her defense behind the plate was solid. Kayla Keith and Kate Lawrence added great defensive plays to help keep the game close. Sicily Johnston, our freshman, pitched really well."

Owasso senior Mikayla Waggnor belted a home run and doubled to lead the Rams to the championship.

Jackson (3-2) finished pool play with a flawless 3-0 record following the Indians' earlier 16-3 romp of Duchesne.

Kelsie Meystedt picked up her first win in the circle and Keith hit a double to help lead the Indians in the victory.

Maddie Hanten was the losing pitcher and Annie Brandt doubled to pace the Pioneers (5-1).

Jackson 16, Duchesne 3

Duchesne 020 01 -- 3 6 1

Jackson 208 6X -- 16 17 1

WP -- Kelsie Meystedt, 1-0. LP – Maddie Hanten. 2B -- Kayla Keith (J), Annie Brandt (D). Multiple hitters -- Jackson: Megan Clippard 3-3, Kayla Keith 2-3, Mallorie Maintz 3-3, MacKenzie Bartels 2-3, Kate Lawrence 2-3, Sophie Wunderlich 2-3; Duchesne: Olivia Adams 2-3.

Owasso (Okla.) 3, Jackson 2

Jackson 200 000 0 -- 2 5 1

Owasso 201 000 X -- 3 6 0

WP -- Jaycee Forth. LP -- Sicily Johnston. HR -- Mikayla Waggnor (O). 2B -- Taylor Kirn (J), Mikayla Waggnor (O).

BOYS SOCCER

Greg Kline Classic

Perryville advanced to the championship of the Greg Kline Soccer Classic with a 2-1 victory over Sikeston (2-1) in Carbondale, Ill.

Michael Volansky scored one goal on an assist from Emilio Mattingly, and Pablo Mattingly scored the Pirates' other goal on an assist from Volansky.

Goalkeeper Luke Dobbelare recorded nine saves in the shutout.

Perryville (3-0) was set to play Anna-Jonesboro, Ill., for the championship, but rainy conditions caused the game to be postponed to a date to yet be determined. The Pirates return to the field on Tuesday when they host North County (2-2).

In Saturday's second-round consolation semifinal, Central's Dashaun Blissett scored three goals to lead the Tigers to a 5-0 victory over Central of Breese, Ill.

Luke Kinder added a goal for Cape Central (1-1) while Weston Baker and Keevin Dyke each had an assist.

Goalkeepers Spencer Kidd had two saves and Carson Retter had one save in the shutout.

The Tigers were three minutes into their third-round consolation championship game against Waterloo, Ill., when the game was called due to rain.

Central hosts Farmington on Tuesday.

CROSS COUNTRY

Saxony Lutheran opened its season in the Metro East Lutheran Debut Invitational in Edwardsville, Ill.

On the boys' side, sophomore Drew Zieba led the Crusaders with a 58th-place finish time of 19 minutes, 25.60 seconds as Saxony placed 26th overall with a team score of 654. Senior Grace Hanebrink finished 94th in the girls' division with a time of 25 minutes, 26.90 seconds to pace the Crusaders who placed 27th with an overall score of 550.

The Chaffee girls cross country team also began its season in the debut meet. Senior Lyndsey Statler posted a 73rd-place time of 24 minutes, 43.20 seconds for the Red Devils. The Chaffee girls placed 30th with an overall team score of 714.

BOYS

Top 10 Team Scores -- 1. Rochester (Ill.) 59, 2. Freeburg (Ill.) 74, 3. Salem (Ill.) 75, 4. Mater Dei (Breese, Ill.) 179, 5. Mascoutah (Ill.) 181, 6. Mt. Zion (Ill.) 182, 7. Nashville (Ill.) 250, 8. Murphysboro (Ill.) 256, 9. Carterville (Ill.) 277, 10. Red Bud (Ill.) 317

Local results

SAXONY LUTHERAN -- 58. Drew Zieba (19:25.60); 142. Jacob Yantis (21:27.60); 156. Gavin Brown (21:39.40); 218. Joshua Vogel (22:50.00); 230. Jonathan Mueller (23:14.60); 275. Zach Woodney (24:37.00); 305. Josh Varnon (26:08.60)

GIRLS

Top 10 Team Scores -- 1. St. Teresa Catholic (Decatur, Ill.) 57; 2. Freeburg (Ill.) 101; 3. Rochester (Ill.) 131; 4. Mater Dei (Breese, Ill.) 171; 5. Carterville (Ill.) 222; 6. Herrin (Ill.) 243; 7. Red Bud (Ill.) 295; 8. Mt. Zion (Ill.) 304; 9. St. Anthony of Padua Parish (Effingham, Ill.) 325; 10. Mascoutah (Ill.) 407

Local results

CHAFFEE -- 73. Lyndsey Statler (24:43.20); 184. Shayna Seyer (28:55.00); 190. Katie Glueck (29:06.90); 192. Emily Howard (29:11.30); 215. Alyssa Lunsford (30:20.40)

SAXONY LUTHERAN -- 94. Grace Hanebrink (25:26.90); 96. Rachael Koehler (25:30.30); 114. Kristen Gruenwald (26:04.30); 144. Alexis Goodson (27:22.20); 201. Abby Breite (29:28.80)

-- From staff reports