LADY TIGERS OPEN SOCCER SEASON WITH BIG I-55 WIN

Cape Girardeau Central's girls soccer team got its season started on the right foot Friday as the Lady Tigers prevailed in a matchup of state final four teams from last year.

The Lady Tigers, fourth in Class 4A last season, defeated St. Louis Notre Dame -- which was third in Class 1A-3A a year ago -- 2-1 during first-day action in the eight-team I-55 Tournament at Notre Dame High School.

"It's a good win for us to start the season," said Central coach Tom Doyle. "We played pretty well. We got a 2-0 lead and then started playing a little tentative, but I thought we controlled a lot of the game."

Lori Bittle, with an assist from Jessica Ham, scored late in the first half to put the Lady Tigers up 1-0 at the break. Amber Voerg, with Bittle assisting, scored early in the second half as Central grabbed a 2-0 lead.

St. Louis Notre Dame scored on a penalty kick with about eight minutes remaining in the game, but the Lady Tigers were able to hold on.

In other tournament action Friday, Cape Notre Dame evened its record at 1-1 by beating Ft. Zumwalt North 2-0; Jackson lost its season opener, 2-0 to St. Charles West; and Ft. Zumwalt South downed Poplar Bluff 4-1.

Cape Notre Dame got two goals from Cyndi Cox -- one late in the first half and the other early in the second half -- and a shutout from goalie Vanessa Landewee to notch its first win of the year. Laura Mittrucker and Katie Mehner earned assists.

"We started off a little sluggish, but about 10 minutes into the game we kind of gained control," said Notre Dame coach Jeff Worley. "It's a very good tournament so far and there should be some great games today."

The tourney will conclude today with eight games, beginning at 9 a.m.

Perryville 11, Farmington 1

FARMINGTON -- Brooke Winkler netted three goals and assisted on three others as Perryville improved to 3-0 with a rout of Farmington.

Amanda Schumer and Jamie Amberger each added a pair of goals and Britney Weibrecht, Kate Bohnert, Stacey Baer and Amy Garris all added single goals.

Amanda Nuyt recorded the win in goal.

On Thursday, Perryville blanked Marion (Ill.) 4-0.

BASEBALL

Perryville 4, St. Vincent 2

PERRYVILLE -- Perryville opened its season by slipping past city rival St. Vincent, which fell to 1-1.

Colby Palisch pitched all seven innings for the win, allowing five hits while striking out four and walking one. Both St. Vincent runs were unearned.

The Pirates had eight hits, with Travis Mueller and Aaron Dippold each getting two.

Derek Kutz suffered the loss, allowing all of Perryville's runs and hits in 4 1/3 innings.

"It was a good first game for us," said Perryville coach Dennis Glueck. "We had three errors early that gave them both their runs, but after that we played real good defense."

Advance 15, Delta 3

ADVANCE -- Advance, ranked in the preseason as one of the top Class 1A teams in the state, opened its campaign with an easy five-inning victory.

Aaron Cantrell pitched all five innings, allowing three hits and one earned run. He struck out eight and walked four.

The Hornets banged out 14 hits, led by D.A. Slinkard and Garrett Broshuis with three each. Adam Rainey, Andy Jenkins and Daniel Turner all had two hits. Broshuis and Jenkins both drove in three runs.

"It was a pretty good first game for us," said Advance coach Darrell Dannenmueller. "We were a little sluggish with the bats the first couple of innings, but we got rolling after that."

SOFTBALL

Delta 4, Advance 3

DELTA -- Rebecca Cook struck out 12 batters and allowed just two hits as Delta improved to 2-0.

Andrea Dohogne had a two-run double in a three-run fifth inning for Delta while Stephanie Dannenmueller added two hits and an RBI. The Lady Bobcats had seven hits overall.

Trailing 4-0, Advance scored all three of its runs in the sixth inning.

BOYS TENNIS

Cape Central 7, Lone Oak (Ky.) 2

Central improved to 3-0 in dual matches by knocking off the perennial Kentucky powerhouse.

"I'm very pleased with the way we're playing so far," said Central coach Bud Craven.

The Tigers' JV prevailed 5-0.

Central will be right back in action today with a quad meet at Farmington.

Singles

John Presley (L) Mick Metzger 6-4, 6-3

Trevor Blattner (C) def. Zack Butler 6-3, 6-3

Paul Miller (C) def. Matt Barks 6-4, 6-1

Andy Tansil (C) def. Steven Sloan 6-0, 6-1

Brad Robbins (L) def. Eric Daume 7-6, 7-5

Ed Roeger (C) def. Jared Owen 6-0, 6-1

Doubles

Metzger-Blattner (C) def. Presley-Butler 6-3, 6-4

Miller-Tansil (C) def. Barks-Sloan 7-5, 6-0

Daume-Andew Eaton (C) def. Robbins-Owen 6-1, 6-2

JV winners: (singles) Eaton, Calvin Maginel; (doubles) Roeger-Sean Riches, Justin Lusk-Matt Dodd, Andrew Moreton-Chris Limbaugh

TRACK

Kelly girls win meet

EAST PRAIRIE -- Kelly's girls opened the season with an impressive showing in a four-team field with nine first-place finishes.

The Lady Hawks compiled 132 points to easily outdistance runnerup East Prairie (99), Portageville (41) and Scott City (38).

Hannah Moore (shot put, discus), Jenny Riley (1600, 3200) and Megan Nelson (100 hurdles, 300 hurdles) each had two first-place finishes for Kelly.

Portageville placed first among the five boys teams with 112 points and was followed by Kelly (82), Hayti (81), East Prairie (45) and Scott City (20).

Sophomore Adam Daughhetee led Kelly with first-place finishes in the 800 and 1600 and also ran on the victorious 4x800 relay.

Results in Scoreboard.