Severe weather halts Sikeston-Portageville softball

Sikeston runner Madison Chaney safely steals second base as Portageville shortstop Alison Pepper hauls in a wide throw from a teammate Thursday at the Sikeston Sports Complex. (Photo by Brent Shipman, Staff)

sports@standard-democrat.com

SIKESTON -- For the second day in a row the Sikeston Lady Bulldogs saw mother nature bring an end to one of their contests.

Unlike the day before, however, when a quick shower stopped a scoreless game against Kelly in the top of the second, Thursday afternoon's rain came while the Lady Bulldogs faced a big deficit.

Up against visiting Portageville, Sikeston surrendered four first inning runs and trailed 7-1 after the top of the fifth. With a full five innings needed to be completed to call it an official game, Sikeston started a small rally in the bottom of the frame as severe weather quickly approached.

Leading off for Sikeston, Madison Chaney legged out an infield single and stole second before a pop up to short put the first out on the board.

Chaney went on to take third base on a passed ball, but with Sydney King at the plate the game was called two outs away from being official due to the approaching storm.

Though they'll have to pick it up at a later date, Sikeston has a chance to regroup and get healthy in the meantime.

"We just came out slow. It looked like we were a little sluggish and I think that's because of all the injuries," Sikeston head coach Tiffany Morgan said of her team. "We've had a couple injuries and a couple sicknesses and the girls are just trying to play through it all and it's really affecting their play."

By the time play was called Chaney had collected a team-high two hits while Dixon and Annie Ramey added a single each to Sikeston's cause.

Sikeston was down 6-0 before a bases loaded walk to Paige Sailors in the bottom of the fourth ended their scoring drought.

For Portageville, Alison Peppers had two hits and a run scored. Jenna Hawkins also collected two hits and reached in all three appearances. Jill Kellams had a triple in the fourth and scored on an error for her team's lone run in the fourth.

With the game called for the day, Portageville still stands at 3-3 on the season with Sikeston just under the .500 mark at 3-4.

As for Sikeston's other delayed contest against the Lady Hawks, it will be played today at 4 p.m. at Kelly High School.