ND SOFTBALL STOPS BLUFF FOR FIRST VICTORY OF SEASON

Ramona Blankenship allowed just two runs and five hits in seven innings Thursday as Notre Dame defeated Poplar Bluff 8-2 Thursday in high school softball action.

Notre Dame improved to 1-1.

Blankenship struck out six and walked one and also went 2-for-4 at the plate.

Katlyn Kelly was Notre Dame's leading hitter, going 3-for-4.

Notre Dame scored one in the first, one in the third, one in the fourth, two in the fifth and three in the sixth.

Poplar Bluff scored twice in the fourth.

St. Vincent 16, Crystal City 6

PERRYVILLE -- St. Vincent shook a 16-run loss in Wednesday's opener to defeat Crystal City in five innings Thursday.

The Squaws evened their record at 1-1, committing just one Thursday after making six a day earlier against St. Pius.

Jessica Kirn and Stephanie Brown combined on a five hitter.

St. Vincent banged out seven hits and took advantage of 13 walks. Jean Brown led the offense with two hits and three runs.

The Squaws, who scored in every inning, pushed across four runs in the first and added five in the second for a 9-0 lead.

Hillsboro 4, Jackson 3

JACKSON -- Jackson committed six errors in suffering a frustrating loss to Hillsboro.

The Lady Indians fell to 1-1 on the young season.

Gretchen King suffered the loss, allowing 11 hits. She struck out one and walked one. Two of Hillsboro's runs were unearned.

"She didn't pitch that bad, we just didn't play very well," said Jackson coach Becky Riney.

With the game tied 1-1, Hillsboro scored two runs in the fifth to move ahead for good, 3-1. Jackson scored a run in the bottom of the inning and both teams plated single runs in the sixth. In the seventh, Jackson had the tying run at third base with one out but failed to score.

The Lady Indians finished with 10 hits. Emily Sander and Megan Kuntze each had three hits. Sander and Heidi Jansen each had a triple.

GIRLS TENNIS

Jackson 7, Kennett 2

KENNETT -- Jackson improved to 2-0 with a road victory.

The Lady Indians lost just one singles and one doubles match and took the remaining matches rather easily.

Jackson's junior varsity also won 12-3.

(Singles)

Kim Anderson (J) def. Heather Winston 8-1

Nicole Poythress (J) def. Stephanie Wheeler 8-0

Kristen Rainey (K) def. Brooke Stevens 6-8

Annie Lefebvre (J) def. Brittnay Burcham 8-0

Sara Popst (J) def. Shannon Wilburn 8-3

Maggie Martin (J) def. Tarah Wake 8-1

(Doubles)

Anderson-Poytress (J) def. Wheeler-Rainey 8-1

Winston-Wilburn (K) def. Stevens-Lefebvre 6-8

Popst-Martin (J) def. Burcham-Wake 8-3

JV winners: (singles) Carly Vogelsang, Katie Domian, Jessica Nelson, Keri Miinch, Mandy Burlbaugh, Sarah Owen, Rebecca Seabaugh, Ashley Seabaugh, Fallon Shiele; (doubles) Vogelsang- Domian; Jessica Bill-R. Seabaugh; Burlbaugh-Owen