SHS opens season with shutout of Farmington

Hopson allows only five hits in the Lady Bulldogs' 4-0 victory

sd_sports@yahoo.com

SIKESTON -- After jumping on top early, the Sikeston Lady Bulldogs were able to hold the visiting Farmington Knightettes scoreless all seven innings of play, winning 4-0 to open their season.

"The girls came out really focused," Lady Bulldog's coach Tiffany Morgan said. "I have a bunch of seniors that are chomping at the bit to get that district championship and they came out focused and ready."

Sikeston was able to take advantage of Farmington's miscues early as Sarah Hopson led off the first reaching on a dropped fly ball to left field.

Shortly after Sydney Davied would hit a drive to left, scoring Hopson from first before coming home herself on the same play as two misplayed throws by the Knightettes brought her safely from second to cross the plate for the second run of the game.

Capping what would be a three-run rally, a single up the middle by Sydney King scored pinch-runner Madison Chaney from second to make it 3-0 after one inning of play.

Adding one more insurance run in the fourth Elizabeth Bolen would cross the plate on a Courtney Collins single up the third base side.

After going scoreless the previous six innings, the Knightettes would lead off the seventh with a single in their last chance for a rally only to have Sikeston's starting pitcher Hopson strikeout three consecutive batters to end any chance at a Farmington comeback.

"I think immediately when we stepped on the field (this afternoon) everybody was positive," Hopson said. "I don't think it was an individual thing, I think everybody just came out positive, ready to do their jobs. We hit well and defensively we did also did very well."

In earning the win, Hopson went the full seven innings allowing five scattered hits and no walks while striking out 11.

On offense the Lady Bulldogs compiled seven hits on the game with Bolen leading the team going 2-for-3 with two singles.

With her team only committing one error while posting a shutout, Morgan said she was happy to see her team click so early.

"Usually those miscues hurt us," she said. "But this time we overcame that. We have some young girls in some of the positions, but they overcame all of those little adversities and we prevailed."

Sikeston would look to start the season 2-0 when they face the visiting Perryville Lady Pirates today at 4 p.m.

Farmington 000 000 0 - 0

Sikeston 300 100 x - 4

WP -- Sarah Hopson. LP -- Erin Littrell. Multiple hitters -- (F) Natelie Hoehn 2-3; (S) Elizabeth Bolen 2-3. 2B -- (F) Hoehn; (S) Sydney Davied.