Chaffee blanks Sikeston

SIKESTON -- The struggles for Sikeston's young softball team continued with a 16-0 five-inning loss to Chaffee on Tuesday.

The Lady Bulldogs, composed primarily of freshmen and sophomores, fell to 0-3 while dropping their SEMO Conference opener to the Lady Red Devils (2

-3, 1-2).

After Chaffee scored one in the first inning, Sikeston's leadoff hitter Katie DeLaRosa reached on a bunt single. However, that was the lone hit for the Lady Bulldogs on the evening. One other batter reached in the fifth on a passed ball on a third strike.

The Lady Bulldogs, unable to generate many scoring opportunities, remained scoreless on the season, having been outscored 60-0.

Chaffee hurler Sarah Benton tossed the one-hitter, facing two over the minimum, as she retired 13 straight following the leadoff single.

"Sarah, who's started every game for us, has done a fantastic job so far this year and the team has done a good job behind her," said Chaffee coach Debbie Lewis.

Chaffee, errorless in the field, made all the routine plays and had one circus catch, a nice over-the-shoulder grab by second baseman Veronica Bennett.

Sikeston, breaking in young inexperienced pitchers, again struggled with control issues.

Starter Kristin Alcorn, projected as the starting catcher but pressed into service as a pitcher, gave up 11 runs on only one hit but walked nine and hit two batters in two innings.

Freshman reliever Mara Krokstrom fared better, allowing five runs on four hits and four bases on balls in three innings of work.

"Our pitchers just haven't pitched very much competitively," said Sikeston coach Tiffany King. "We're trying to develop some other girls and, hopefully, by the end of the season they'll be ready."

Chaffee scored seven in the second inning with the benefit of only one hit. Four walks, an error and three wild pitches aided the Red Devil cause.

Chaffee tacked on three in the third, three in the fourth and two in the fifth.

The Lady Red Devils collected five hits, led by Benton's two singles.

On a positive note, the Lady Bulldogs managed to put the ball in play on the offensive end, hitting into eight groundball outs.

Said King, "We've been putting the ball in play, but just hitting it right at people. Once again, it's a lack of experience. Some of these girls are getting their first opportunity to play competitive ball."

Next action for Sikeston is the Notre Dame Tournament, which opens on Thursday.