Chaffee softball team breaks slump, plays spoiler in 12-11 win over Si...

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SIKESTON -- On a night they honored the past, the Sikeston Lady Bulldogs fell back into some old habits.

Sikeston's first softball coach, Connie Spears, was honored before the game as part of Sikeston's Alumni Day Thursday but Chaffee dampened the mood following a 12-11 Lady Devil win.

Kylie Wilhite had four hits for Chaffee and Julia Sutterfield added two hits and two RBIs. Cierra Crites chipped in two hits including a double and two RBIs while Kaitlyn McFerron also added two hits, a double and one RBI.

Chaffee totaled 16 hits which was a welcomed sight for Chaffee coach AJ Horn, who has witnessed his team struggle at the dish the last few games. The Lady Devils have scored one run in their last two games combined.

"We've really been in a slump at the plate," he said. "We came out and swung the bats well. We really feel good about that and hopefully we can carry it over into next week."

Former Sikeston softball coach Connie Spears throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the Sikeston-Chaffee softball game Thursday at the Sikeston Sports Complex. Spears was honored before the game as Sikeston celebrated their Alumni Day. (Chris Pobst photo)

Sikeston (9-8) was close behind with 13 hits but committed five errors which kept some of Chaffee's scoring rallies at full pace.

"I felt like when we had opportunities to squash their rallies we didn't do it," Voorhees said. "We kind of reverted back to some of the early season mistakes that we were making. We threw the ball around and gave them a few runs."

Maggie Shepherd was a home run shy of the cycle with three hits and two RBIs. Kylie Noe went 3 for 4 with four RBIs and Jorgia Aters went 4 for 4 with three RBIs and double.

Aters gave Sikeston their first and only lead of the game in the third inning following a 2-run single that put the Lady Bulldogs ahead 7-6. They finished that inning with a 9-6 advantage.

"I thought we hit the ball well and a lot of times when you score 11 you'd like to see a win," said Voorhees. "I thought we did our part offensively and played the game right, we just made a few mistakes."

Chaffee (6-8) answered with five runs in their half of the fifth carried by eight singles.

Sikeston's Madison Smith delivers a pitch to a Chaffee batter Thursday at the Sikeston Sports Complex. (Chris Photo photo)

Singles by Cierra Crites, Taylor Crites, Hallie Bollinger and Carleigh Burnett started Chaffee's comeback. Though Cierra Crites was cut down on a fielder's choice play at home, an errant throw to first attempting a double play allowed Taylor Crites to score the first run of the inning.

Sutterfield singled in Bollinger and Hannah Seyer poked their sixth single of the inning to tie the game at 9-all. Singles by Wilhite and McFerron capped Chaffee's big inning and lifted them to an 11-9 lead.

Sikeston's throwing error that allowed Chaffee's first run of the inning to score was an unwelcomed reminder of past mistakes, according to Voorhees.

"They started that inning off with three-straight singles and then we made a mistake to compound what they were doing," he said. "You could see the ball rolling there."

After a scoreless fifth for Sikeston, the Lady Bulldogs added a run in the sixth behind another RBI hit from Aters.

Chaffee added what would end up being the winning run in the top of the seventh after Sutterfield advanced to first on Sikeston's fourth error of the night. She eventually came around to score on a passed ball putting her team ahead with another two-run advantage.

Sikeston managed to put the tying run in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh. Shepherd began the frame by beating out a short grounder at first base. Hanna Placek's second single of the night drove Shepherd home with two outs. A line drive to Chaffee second baseman Taylor Crites ended the game four pitches later.

"Sikeston's a good ball club," said Horn. "We hit the ball well and kept swinging the bats. Finally you'll start getting those breaks and getting those hits."

Burnett closed out the game for the Lady Devils after their starter, Hannah Seyer was lifted in the third. After giving up nine runs on seven hits in the first three innings, Burnett limited the Lady Bulldogs to two more runs and scattered six hits the final four innings.

"She closed things out for us and really pitched well," Horn said about Burnett. "Hannah is coming back off an injury and we're trying to work her in and once she gets dialed back in with her control she'll be hard to hit for us."

Sikeston, whose lost two of their last three, paid tribute to their program's first coach before the game began Thursday and a packed house was in store. With the festivities fresh in their minds, Sikeston wanted nothing more than to pull out a victory the day they honored their program's founding coach.

"We haven't been in very many big games," said Voorhees. "Not that this was a big game, but we had our celebration and there were a lot of people here. There was some nerves and a pressure to win. I'm not glad we lost the game but I'm glad we played it. I'm glad we got this experience and I'm hoping we have more big games down the road."

Connie Spears coached the Sikeston softball team for 24 years starting in 1974. Her 1981 team still holds the school record for the best winning percentage in a season at 14-4.

A replica of Spears' No. 17 jersey was placed on the outfield fence and Spears threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

"Most of these girls didn't even know who she was," Voorhees said. "I think to honor her is something I'm very proud to be a part of. I'm glad her family was here and there was a big turnout. I'm honored to be part of it. It was something special."

Chaffee 240 050 1 -- 12 16 0

Sikeston 234 001 1 -- 11 13 5

WP -- Carliegh Burnett. LP -- Madison Smith. Multiple hitters: (C) Julia Sutterfield 2-5, Hannah Seyer 2-5, Kylie Wilhite 4-5, Kaitlyn McFerron 2-5, Cierra Crites 2-5, Hallie Bollinger 2-4. (S), Kylie Noe 3-4, Maggie Shepherd 3-5, Hanna Placek 2-3, Jorgia Aters 4-4. 2B: (C) McFerron, C. Crites. (S) Shepherd, Aters. 3B: (S) Shepherd.

Chaffee softball team breaks slump, plays spoiler in 12-11 win over Sikeston