Jackson opens district play with 14-run outburst

Kelci Keith homered and drove in three runs as third-seeded Jackson unleashed its offense Wednesday during a 14-5 victory against sixth-seeded Hillsboro in the first round of the Class 4 District 1 softball tournament at Farmington.

Jackson (17-9) had 14 hits, with Keith, Chelsea McDowell, Alisha Craft, Maggie Baugh, Amanda Pitts, Brittany Feeney and Roxanna Miller all getting two. Craft, Pitts and Feeney added two RBIs apiece.

Sheila Wade allowed six hits for the victory.

The Indians will play second-seeded Famington at 6 p.m. today in the semifinals.

In another district game Wednesday, fourth-seeded Central lost to fifth-seeded Poplar Bluff 3-1.

Jackson 14, Hillsboro 5

Jackson 410 504 0 -- 14 14 0

Hillsboro 000 050 0 -- 5 6 1

WP -- Sheila Wade. LP -- Marler. HR -- Kelci Keith (J). 3B -- O'Haren (H). 2B -- Wessels (H). Multiple hits -- Jackson, Kieth 2-4, Chelsea McDowell 2-4, Alisha Craft 2-4, Maggie Baugh 2-3, Amanda Pitts 2-2, Brittany Feeney 2-4, Roxanna Miller 2-4. Records -- Jackson 17-9.

Delta 3, Couch 0

Top-seeded Delta advanced to the championship game of the Class 1 District 1 tournament at Neelyville by blanking fourth-seeded Couch.

Kendra Burnett pitched a one-hitter and struck out seven while walking five. Delta (11-7) had just three hits, including a triple by Kaci Menz and a double by Shea Smith. Sara Blattel added a single.

Delta plays No. 2 Naylor at 4 p.m. Friday for the title.

Delta 201 000 0 -- 3 3 0

Couch 000 000 0 -- 0 1 4

WP -- Kendra Burnett, 11-5. LP -- Mills. 3B -- Kaci Menz (D). 2B -- Shea Smith (D). Records --Delta 11-7.

BOYS SOCCER Central 1, Sikeston 0

Matt Hester scored on an assist by Asad Malik to lead Central (7-6-2) to a road win.

JV -- Central won 2-0.

Eagle Ridge Christian 3, Mississippi (Alton) 2

Eagle Ridge Christian extended its winning streak to five games by beating Mississippi of Alton, Ill., earlier this week. Daniel Cohen netted three goals, while Stephen Cohen had an assist.

CROSS COUNTRY Oak Ridge Invitational

Woodland was the top girls team, placing fourth. Nikki Balzer placed third to lead the Cardinals.

* Boys information, Page 1B

Varsity boys

Teams -- Saxony Lutheran 26, Farmington 71, Evansville (Ill.) Christ Our Savior Lutheran 102, Oak Ridge 117, Woodland 146, Advance 149, Dexter 151.

Individuals

Saxony Lutheran-- 1, Brandon Etzold, 16:27; 2, Peter Winningham, 17:12; 3, Max Wieser, 17:19; 6, Ross Gage, 17:32; 14, Bryant Steffens, 17:57; 15, Andrew Etzold. 17:58; 16, Sam Kluesner, 18:05.

Oak Ridge -- 12, Garret Light; 17, Dustin Owens; 20, Caleb Schoen; 27, Walter Ruesler; 41, Kaz Lange.

Advance -- 7, Nate Middleton.

Meadow Heights -- 19, Terry Haffner, 18:17.

Delta -- 31, Teddy May, 19:33.

Varsity girls

Teams -- Dexter 19, Farmington 42, Crystal City 52, Woodland 58, Meadow Heights 81.

Individuals

Woodland -- 3, Nikki Balzer; 9, Elaine Jetton.

Saxony Lutheran -- 8, Deanna Dippold, 22:31.

Oak Ridge -- 25, Erin Owens; 49, Olivia East.

Meadow Heights -- 15, Beth Payne, 23:53; 17, Jenna Haas, 24:01; 18, Rachel Bright, 24:16; 31, Abby Wissore, 26:37; 35, Tora Jordan, 28:19. 36, Amanda Hendrickson, 29:15; 37, Riki Lacey, 29:22.

Delta -- 24, Jessica Kidd, 24:54; 34, Susannah Greenm 27:56.

JV boys -- Teams: Meadow Heights 64, Saxony 71, Farmington 106, South Iron 148. Individuals: Derrick Wilfong of Meadow Heights finished first in 18:23.

VOLLEYBALL Perryville 25 25 St. Pius 16 10

The Pirates swept Festus St. Pius on the road. Perryville (15-9-4) was led by Jocelyn Moll with 10 kills and five blocks. Lezlie Lundy added five kills and five digs, and Ava Johnson provided eight assists and four digs.

-- From staff reports