TIGERS STAGE LATE RALLY TO SLIP PAST PERRYVILLE 8-6

PERRYVILLE -- Cape Central kept chugging toward the 20-win mark Thursday with a seventh-inning rally to defeat Perryville 8-6.

Trailing 6-5 in the top of the seventh, the Tigers scored three runs and Travis Klipfel pitched another scoreless inning of relief for the win. Central pounded three home runs to improve its record to 18-6 overall.

Central took the lead for good when Perryville botched an attempted pick-off play at third base. Mitch Ogles and Ross Bennett scored on the play to make the put the Tigers ahead 7-6. Chris Bradshaw walked and scored later in the inning on a single by Greg Craft

Klipfel, who's pitched primarily for the junior varsity this season, threw a scoreless 2 2-3 innings to get credit for the victory. He entered the contest in relief of Jeff Michel with one out in the fifth inning and the bases loaded with Pirates.

"Travis really stepped up and did a good job," said Central coach Steve Williams. "They were threatening when he came in, but he shut (Perryville) down and didn't allow any runs."

Craft led the Tigers' offense, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs and a home run. Bennett had two hits, including a home run and Tatum Kitchen ripped the other Tiger homer. Matt Welker had Central's only other hit.

Central completes its regular season today at Farmington.

South Pemiscot 6, Notre Dame 1

Notre Dame stranded 11 runners in Thursday's regular-season ending loss to South Pemiscot.

Brian Obermann went the distance on the mound, but was saddled with the loss. He allowed six hits and only one earned run while striking out six.

Notre Dame (12-8) scored its only run in the second when John O'Rourke singled, stole second and eventually scored on an error.

Sikeston 10, Jackson 4

SIKESTON -- Jackson touched Sikeston ace Brent Self for eight hits Thursday, but the Bulldogs scored 10 runs on 11 hits to complete a perfect run through the SEMO Conference.

Self fanned 10 and walked two as Sikeston improved to 15-3 overall and 7-0 in the conference. Notre Dame and Sikeston never completed a rained out conference game. Jackson finished the regular season at 8-13 overall and 1-7 in the conference.

Jason Goben suffered the loss, hurling six innings for Jackson. Goben allowed a second-inning grand slam to Mark Silverthorn that got the Bulldogs going. Sikeston led 7-0 after the six-run second inning.

Clay Hooper had three hits for Sikeston. Jackson's Tory Meyr went 3-for-3.

Kelly 19, Kennett 9

KENNETT -- Kelly ended its regular season with a 17-4 record after Thursday's offensive show against Kennett.

The Hawks had 17 hits, led by Denver Stuckey and John Livingston with five apiece. Stuckey also had five RBIs while Livingston scored five runs.

Nathan Dirnberger had three hits, including a grand slam, and five RBIs, while Jason Glastetter had two hits, including a homer and four RBIs. Ben Klipfel added two hits.

Klipfel, one of three Kelly pitchers, hurled two innings to get the win.

Oran 5, East Prairie 2

ORAN -- Justin McAllister improved his pitching record to 6-0 Thursday with a three-hitter against East Prairie.

McAllister totaled 10 strikeouts and allowed only two walks. Both of the East Prairie's runs were unearned. East Prairie ace Ben Marshall took the loss, allowing only one earned run.

Four unearned runs in the third inning put Oran ahead for good. Jeff Schaefer had two of the Oran's six hits.

Oran, now 17-3 and ranked third among Class 1A schools, completes its season today at Bloomfield.

SOCCER

Cape Central 3, Poplar Bluff 1

POPLAR BLUFF -- Cape Central's girls soccer team defeated Poplar Bluff on Thursday and moved one game away from an unbeaten regular season.

The Lady Tigers improved to 16-0-1 and can finish the season undefeated with a victory today over Hillsboro at Shawnee Soccer Park.

Amanda Hiler scored the only goal of the first half as she deposited a pass from Kim Aslinger.

Amber Voerg upped the lead to 2-0 about midway through the second half, scoring off a pass from Mindy Hoffman. Jennifer Daume increased the lead to 3-0 on a penalty kick with three minutes left. Poplar Bluff avoided the shutout on a goal with 15 seconds remaining.

Central won the JV game 6-2. Alyssa Holyfield, Rachel Beecraft, Amber Voerg, Rebecca Hellrich, Heather Hey and Allison Eaton scored goals for the Lady Tigers, who improved to 8-3-1.

Notre Dame 9, Farmington 1

FARMINGTON -- Notre Dame breezed to victory in its final regular-season game, scoring eight first-half goals.

Cindy Cox, Jaymie Frank and Jill Edwards all had two goals while Jennifer Glueck, Michelle Hency and Kim Crader added single tallies.

Notre Dame (8-12-1) will open district play Wednesday against Perryville.

Notre Dame's JV won 6-2. Jill Edwards had two goals while Nicole Passini, Kim Crader, Jessica Daniel and Laura Mittrucker added goals. The JV finished its season at 7-6-1.

Jackson 3, Carbondale (Ill.) 3

JACKSON -- The Lady Indians saw a 3-0 halftime lead evaporate in the second half of Thursday's tie with Carbondale, Ill.

"We just kind of fell asleep and they just came out ready to play in the second half," said Jackson coach Bonnie Knowlan.

Julie Wunderlich scored all three of Jackson's goals. Sarah Schlick posted an assist.

Jackson plays Pacific at home today.