Area sports digest 9/12/02

Central softball team improves to 7-4 with win

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Cape Girardeau Central's softball team beat Poplar Bluff 4-2 Wednesday night to move to 7-4.

Megan McDonald recorded the win. Alex Weiser had a solo homerun, and McDonald helped at the plate with two RBIs.

Laura Beard had the other RBI for the Tigers, who play at rival Notre Dame today.

Ward first again; Hall wins in a close finish

BENTON, Mo. -- Mike Ward returned to victory lane in the sprint class, but Chris Hall was part of the most exciting finish of the night when he won in modifieds late Saturday at Auto Tire and Parts Racepark.

Ward, of Memphis, Tenn., picked up his third win of the season in ATPR's sprint class. Sikeston's Daron Clayton led the first five laps before Ward took over for good. Alex Shanks was second with Robbie Standridge third, good enough to secure the track's points title for the second straight year.

Hall, of Sikeston, never led a full lap, but instead shot past leader Danny Sissom on the final lap to lead the finish in modifieds. Shawn Haynes also slipped past Sissom to take second, leaving Sissom third.

Patrick Naeger was in a spectacular crash less than a month ago, but returned that car to the front for his first win of the season in the pure stock class. Naeger, of Perryville, led every lap and finished ahead of Matt Naeger at the finish. Eric Scott was third.

Josh Southard and Shawn Koenig won the cruiser event for the second time this season. Rick Ruch led all the way in the special event for the RAMS mini stocks.

-- From staff reports