By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

CAPE GIRARDEAU - The Bearcat Tennis team returned to Cape Girardeau on Thursday afternoon to face off against the Notre Dame Bulldogs. The squads split the match, with the 'Cats winning 5-4 in Varsity competition and the Bulldogs taking the JV section 1-8.

In JV action, Keaton Altom and Zach Simms picked up the lone win of the day for the Bearcats with an 8-4 doubles victory over Byron Reeves and Ethan Derrington.

In Varsity singles, DHS #1 Tyler Miller picked up an 8-2 win over Adam McCoy; #2 Sam Ward won an 8-6 decision over Bryan Brown.

In Varisty doubles, Ward and Miller defeated McCoy and Brown in an 8-4 match, while Kyle Willis and Joseph Greer picked up an 8-2 victory over Webb Marshall and Will Kinder.

The Bearcats will be off all next week, and will be back in action on Saturday, April 21 when they play in a tournament hosted by the Poplar Bluff Mules.

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

NEW MADRID - Baseball fans were treated to a pitcher's duel on Thursday afternoon when the Bearcats and the Eagles faced off. Both pitchers went the distance for their respective teams, but ultimately the Bearcats came out in top in a 1-0 victory.

Owen Flowers took the start and earned the win for the Bearcats; the senior gave up five hits, but struck out six and issued no walks. The senior right hander stands at 2-1 on the season with a 1.68 ERA.

Jashaun McDaniel took the loss for the Eagles, but gave up just two hits and one walk while striking out seven batters.

Chase Young reached first base on an error with two outs in the first inning; Jordan Miller hit a single to left to advance Young to second base, but Alex Cliff struck out swinging to end the inning. The 'Cats were three up, three down in the second; the Eagles were able to smack two singles off Flowers in the bottom of the second, but were unable to score.

Daniel Fitts stepped to the plate with one out in the top of the third; after working to a full count, the senior left-fielder drove a shot over the right field fence for the Bearcats' lone run of the contest.

"Daniel worked the count to 3-2," head coach Brian Becker said of the hit. "[McDaniel] threw one about belt high and Daniel hammered it."

Flowers struck out the first two batters he faced in the third, gave up a double, but followed up with his fourth strikeout of the game to emerge unscathed. Flowers never faced more than four batters for the rest of the game, including a three up, three down inning in the bottom of the fourth.

The 'Cats got two men on base in the top of the sixth, but were unable to convert. Dowdy reached base on an error in the top of the seventh and was advanced to second base on a sacrifice by Josh Overall. Flowers sent Dowdy to third base after grounding into a fielder's choice, but Logan Northern struck out looking to end the game in a 1-0 Bearcat win.

Fitts and Miller were the only two 'Cats to get a hit during the game; Fitts provided the only run of the day with is solo shot in the third inning, and went 1-3 with 1 RBI and a strikeout. Miller was 1-2 at the plate.

The 'Cats will be back in action on Monday afternoon, when they host the Poplar Bluff Mules. The Mules are 7-2 on the year after dropping a 6-1 decision on the road at Notre Dame on Monday (April 9).

Becker indicated that Potts (2-0, 2.40 ERA) would likely get the start in the 4:00 p.m. contest.

Photo Above:
Owen Flowers threw a complete game shutout against the NMCC Eagles on Thursday afternoon, giving up five hits and no walks while striking out six batters. The senior has a 2-1 record and 1.68 ERA so far this season. (SMT File photo by Andrew Cato)

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

PUXICO - The Lady Bearcats had another explosive day at the plate on Thursday afternoon, run-ruling an opponent for the second time in as many days with their 24-12 defeat of the Puxico Indians.

Riley Rickman took the start and the win for the Lady 'Cats, pitching all five innings with six K's and eight walks. Rickman made up for some of the runs she allowed, going 2-4 at the plate with three RBI's, three runs scored, and a walk.

The Lady 'Cats jumped out to a good lead in the top of the first; Emily Triplett smacked a two RBI double to right to kick off the four run inning. The Tribe responded in the bottom half of the inning and tied the game at 4-4.

The Lady 'Cats loaded the bases without a hit to start the second inning; walks were issued to Diana Gilliam and Ashley Brown, while Whitney Layton was hit by a pitch. Kendra Stevenson delivered a two RBI single to right, followed by two more RBI's from Triplett. Dexter led 10-4 at the end of the inning.

The Indians posted four runs in the bottom of the second inning, but left the bases loaded at the end of the inning.

Dexter manufactured another big inning in the third, plating five runs to increase their lead to 15-8. Rickman retired the Indians in order to close out the third inning.

Another five run rally greeted the Lady 'Cats in the fourth inning, while the Indians tacked on three runs. The 'Cats piled on four more in the fifth inning to put the run-rule in effect with a 24-11 lead. Puxico was only able to score one run to end the game with a 24-12 Lady Bearcat victory.

Stevenson and Triplett mirrored each other at the plate in the contest; both players were 4-5 with five RBI's and four runs scored in the big win.

The Lady Bearcats will be back in action on Friday (April 13) afternoon when they host the Doniphan Donettes at 4:30 p.m.

Photo Above: Emily Triplett smacks an RBI triple during the third inning of Thursday afternoon's 24-12 victory over Puxico. Triplett was 4-5 at the plate with 5 RBI's and 4 runs scored.
Photo submitted by Kay Stevenson - thanks Kay!

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

The DMS baseball team battled hard against a tough opponent on Thursday afternoon, but ultimately fell to the Campbell Camels with a 12-1 final score.

Chandler Young got the start and the loss for the Bearcats; the right-hander threw 100 pitches in 4 1/3 innings of work, with three strikeouts and five walks. Young struggled with his command early in the game, but progressively improved throughout the contest.

Cole Renken entered the game in relief during the fifth inning, including one strikeout.

The Camels scored five runs without recording an out to open the game, thanks in part to a two RBI double from Brock Breachem.

The 'Cats were greeted with three free bases to open the bottom of the first; Austin Chesser and Zach Alsup were issued walks, while Jake Pedigo took an errant pitch to the side. Young delivered a single to left-center to plate the Bearcats' only run of the day and set the score at 5-1.

Breachem led off with a double in the top of the second, and was driven in by designated hitter Nick Littrell to plate the only run of the inning. Chesser was granted a two out walk in the bottom half of the second, and advanced to third base with a steal and a wild pitch. Chesser attempted to steal home after another pitch got by catcher Will Biggs, but Biggs was able to recover and tag Chesser out at the plate to end the inning.

The Camels plated three more runs in the third inning to increase their lead to 9-1. The Bearcats were unable to convert two baserunners in the home half of the third, but Young was able to retire the Camels in order in the top of the fourth.

Campbell reliever Tommy Steward struck out the side in the bottom of the fourth, and his team tacked on three more runs in the top of the fifth to set the 10-run rule in effect. The Bearcats were unable to score in the bottom of the fifth to end the game in a 12-1 loss.

Pedigo and Young got the only two hits of the game for the 'Cats; Pedigo was 1-1 at the plate, while Young was 1-2 with a RBI.

The Bearcats will be back in action on Saturday (April 14) morning; the team is hosting a four-team tournament and will face off against NMCC at 9:00 a.m.

In most streams south of the Missouri River, black bass season will open May 26, 2012, until that date all black bass in those streams must be returned to the water unharmed immediately after being caught. For details see Chapter 6 of the Wildlife Code.

PLEASE CHECK REGULATIONS CAREFULLY: Special regulations may apply to designated portions of water bodies; some baits and lures may not be legal for all portions.

SOUTHEAST REGION (573) 290-5858

LAKES

Clearwater Lake: 68 degrees, normal, clear; crappie fair on jigs; all species slow. (Report made on 4/11/2012)

Council Bluff Lake: 62 degrees, normal, clear; largemouth bass good on dark colored soft plastics; crappie fair on jigs and minnows; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/11/2012)

Cypress Lake: 62 degrees, normal, dingy; crappie good on minnows and jigs in 1 - 2' depths, mostly smaller fish being caught right now; bluegill fair on jigs and crickets in 2 - 3' depths; largemouth bass fair on minnows and jigs, incidental to crappie fishing, and plastic worms in 2 - 3' depths; channel catfish fair on worms and stinkbait in 2 - 3' depths. (Report made on 4/11/2012)

Duck Creek CA Pool 1: 66 degrees, high, clear; all species slow. (Report made on 4/11/2012)

Lake Girardeau: normal, clear; largemouth bass and channel catfish good on worms; all other species fair. (Report made on 4/11/2012)

Perry County Lake: 68 degrees, clear; crappie good on white jigs; black bass good on plastic worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/11/2012)

Robert DeLaney Lake: 62 degrees, normal, crappie and black bass fair on jigs; bluegill fair on jigs and crickets; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/12/2012)

Wappapello Lake: low, black bass fair on crankbaits and plastic worms; crappie fair on minnows and jigs; bluegill fair on crickets and worms along shoreline; all other species slow. Anglers should note the 9" minimum length limit regulation for crappie on Wappapello Lake. Call the Wappapello Lake Recreation Hotline for updates at 573-222-8139. (Report made on 4/11/2012)

RIVERS

Black River (above Clearwater Lake): 58 degrees, normal, clear; all species slow. (Report made on 4/11/2012)

Black River (below Clearwater Lake): 65 degrees, dingy; channel catfish good on live bait; crappie good on minnows and tube jigs; black bass season closed (catch and release only); all other species slow. (Report made on 4/11/2012)

Castor River (above Zalma): normal, clear; all species fair. (Report made on 4/12/2012)

Mississippi River (middle): falling, muddy; all species fair. (Report made on 4/11/2012)

Mississippi River (Ohio River to Arkansas): falling, muddy; channel catfish fair on worms and cut baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/12/2012)

St. Francis River (above Wappapello): normal, dingy; channel catfish good on live and stinkbait; crappie good on minnows; black bass (season closed until May 26th) fair on minnows and jigs; bluegill/sunfish fair on crickets; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/11/2012)

St. Francis River (below Wappapello): 64 degrees, high, dingy; channel catfish fair on liver, nightcrawlers and stinkbaits; crappie fair using chartreuse tube jigs and minnows; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/11/2012)

Anglers are invited to send pictures of their catch to the ShowMe Times - simply email a photo to SMT Sports Editor Andrew Cato, including your name, where the fish was caught, the species of the fish, and - if you care to share - what bait you were using!