SIKESTON — Sikeston scored three runs in the first inning and never trailed in a 7-2 win over St. Vincent in the season opener March 19.
The Bulldogs added another run in the second to take a 4-0 lead before St. Vincent answered with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to cut the deficit to 4-2. Sikeston pulled away with three runs in the sixth to seal the victory.
St. Vincent finished with five hits, led by Andrew Schumer, Cain Clifton and Quinton Whistler, who each drove in a run. Tyler Hennemann and Austin Unterreiner also recorded hits, while Gavin Hotop scored one of the Indians’ two runs.
On the mound, Schumer took the loss after allowing four runs, three earned, on two hits over 1 2/3 innings while striking out one. Clifton provided a steady effort in relief, tossing four innings and allowing three runs on seven hits with five strikeouts. Levi Schilling recorded the final out.
Sikeston’s offense was paced by Keane Atkins, who went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI, and Peyton Mitchell, who added two hits and two runs. Sam McGill finished 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored, helping lead a nine-hit attack for the Bulldogs.
Atkins also earned the win on the mound, allowing two runs on five hits over six innings while striking out seven. Jordan Burnett closed out the game with a scoreless inning of relief.
After falling behind early, St. Vincent settled in behind Clifton and showed signs of life offensively in the middle innings but was unable to capitalize further.
SAXONY LUTHERAN 15, FREDERICKTOWN 0
FREDERICKTOWN — Saxony Lutheran erupted for nine runs in the first inning and never looked back in a 15-0 victory over Fredericktown in its season opener March 20.
The Crusaders added to the early lead with runs in the second, third and fourth innings before closing out the game in five innings.
Saxony finished with 15 runs on 11 hits, while Fredericktown was limited to two hits in the contest.
Kai McDowell led the Crusaders at the top of the lineup, going 2-for-5 with two runs scored. Eli Raddemann added a strong all-around performance, finishing with two hits, two runs and two RBIs, while Zach Roth went 1-for-4 with an RBI.
James Hope scored twice and drove in a run, and Baylor Wilson reached base three times with a hit and two walks, scoring once and adding two RBIs.
Dylan Johnson also had a big game, going 2-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs scored, while Seth Stageberg added two RBIs. Cole Roth and Tyler Lawrence each contributed hits as Saxony spread production throughout the lineup.
On the mound, Roth earned the win, allowing one hit over 1 2/3 innings while striking out five. Raddemann followed with 2 1/3 innings of no-hit relief, striking out four, and Cole Roth closed out the game with a scoreless inning.
Fredericktown struggled to generate offense against Saxony’s pitching staff, with Mason Proffer and Bentlee Clauser recording the team’s only hits.
Jeremy Klugh took the loss for the Blackcats, allowing nine runs in 2/3 of an inning. Proffer and Jordan Coffey worked in relief.
Saxony’s fast start set the tone, as the Crusaders capitalized on scoring opportunities early and continued to apply pressure throughout the game.
PERRYVILLE 5, CRYSTAL CITY 2
Perryville used a four-run fourth inning and a strong performance on the mound from Waylon Huber to defeat Crystal City 5-2 in its season opener March 20.
Trailing 2-0 early, the Pirates broke through in the fourth inning, scoring four runs to take the lead for good. Perryville added an insurance run in the sixth while holding Crystal City scoreless over the final four innings.
Huber earned the win on the mound, turning in a dominant performance. The junior tossed 6 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out 14 and walking two. Bryce Weber came on in relief to record the final two outs and secure the victory.
Perryville finished with nine hits offensively, led by Barrett Wheeler, who went 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Wheeler also scored twice and played a key role in the Pirates’ fourth-inning rally.
Gideon Stueve added two hits and two runs scored, while Bryce Weber finished 1-for-4 with an RBI. Waylon Huber also contributed at the plate with two RBIs, helping his own cause.
Gavin Mayor and Bryce Schmidt each added hits as Perryville spread production throughout the lineup.
Crystal City was led by Alex Parham, who went 2-for-4 with a run scored, while Kolton Adams added two hits. Cole Feeler and Ricardo Pastrana also recorded hits for the Hornets.
Kaiden Thomas took the loss for Crystal City, pitching six innings and allowing five runs, four earned, on nine hits while striking out six.
The Hornets jumped out to an early lead with single runs in the third and fourth innings before Perryville responded with its decisive fourth-inning surge.
From that point on, Huber took control on the mound, limiting Crystal City’s opportunities and striking out multiple batters in key situations.
