Stacy leads Bulldogs past Central

LEADWOOD — Senior Tyler Stacy pitched five shutout innings and helped his own cause with a decisive grand slam on Monday, as host West County cruised past Central 9-2 in the baseball season opener for both teams.

Brandon Turner connected for a three-run homer that carried over the left-field fence, and Cody Watson collected two doubles in his return to the West County lineup after missing last season due to injury.

Catcher Michael Harp finished 2-for-3 overall and Kyle Nettles reached base three times, as the Bulldogs (1-0) maximized seven total hits in their first victory over the Rebels since 2003.

Stacy recorded four strikeouts and with just two hits allowed for the win, while two double plays helped to nullify four walks. Central (0-1) ended the day stranding 10 runners on base.

Rebels starter T.C. Jennings induced two pop-ups along the infield after the first three West County batters reached safely in the second inning, but Stacy cleared the bases with one mighty swing.

Turner went deep following lead-off hits from Watson and Nettles during the fifth, and Trevor Kean made it 8-0 with a sacrifice fly.

Daniel Holloway singled and scored the initial Central run after three straight batters walked in the sixth.

Jennings walked twice and doubled to finish 1-for-2 overall, and C.J. Bland added a single for the Rebels.

Farmington 3, Poplar Bluff 1

FARMINGTON — Ethan Bullard picked up two RBI including a solo home run in the first inning, and Farmington opened its baseball season on Monday with a 3-1 victory over Poplar Bluff.

Bullard finished 1-for-2 overall and his squeeze bunt in the fifth gave Farmington a 2-0 lead. Outfielder Bryan Krause singled and stole two bases before scoring on the play.

Nick Baker compiled seven strikeouts and allowed four hits over 4 1/3 scoreless innings for the win. Andy Summers recorded the final eight outs in relief for the save.

Mike Standfuss scored an insurance run for the Knights on a Poplar Bluff error in the sixth.

North County 4, Sullivan 1

BONNE TERRE — North County senior Derek Gibson stifled the opposing Sullivan batters for 6 1/3 innings on Monday, and capped a pivotal scoring rally with a two-run single as the Raiders earned a solid 4-1 victory.

North County (1-0) inflicted its offensive damage in the third inning with four runs on four hits. Singles by Will Swofford and Matt Robinson loaded the bases after Nate Maeys drew a walk.

Senior shortstop Jordan Thompson delivered a clutch single with the bases loaded for a 2-0 lead, then stole second base to give Gibson two runners in scoring position.

Gibson allowed only two hits and three walks while striking out seven, and reliever Jake Cavins retired the final two batters to nail down the save.

Swofford tripled in the sixth and paced North County by going 2-for-3.

Bismarck 13, Grandview 0

BISMARCK — Thomas McLain and Levi Barton combined to pitch a two-hit shutout in five innings on Monday, as Bismarck easily downed Grandview 13-0 in its season opener.

Barton finished 2-for-2 at the plate and Matt Franklin homered for the Indians (1-0), who tallied four runs in the second inning before pouncing for six more in the third.

McLain notched the win as the starter, working three hitless innings with five strikeouts. Barton fanned the side in the fourth and fifth frames while allowing two hits.

Potosi 12, Owensville 2

POTOSI — The Potosi baseball team erupted for five first-inning runs on its new field, and received an especially strong game from sophomore pitcher Matt Marler while routing Owensville 12-2.

Marler finished a perfect 3-for-3 with two doubles and five RBI to lead the Potosi offense. He also struck out seven batters in the complete-game win while allowing three hits and five walks.

Landon Young collected two singles from the lead-off spot, while Tanner Glore and Chad Smith each added doubles for the Trojans. Brad Wright chipped in a single and sacrifice fly.

Potosi 12, Steelville 2

POTOSI — Potosi cranked out 14 total hits to support superb pitching from left-hander Chad Smith, and completed a home double-header sweep on Monday evening with a 12-2 triumph over Steelville.

Landon Young went 2-for-2 with a triple and two walks, and Andy Reed ripped two doubles among three hits to lead the Trojans (2-0).

Brad Wright, Matt Marler and Brad Eaton also achieved multiple-hit status in the victory, while Dylan Eye reached safely three times with a single and two walks. Blake Gillam also added a single.

Smith went the distance on a two-hitter and recorded 10 strikeouts. Both Steelville runs scored against him were unearned.

GIRLS SOCCER

North County 5, Fredericktown 3

DESLOGE — North County slipped past the Fredericktown defense for three goals in the second half, and earned a 5-3 home victory in the girls soccer opener for both teams.

Fredericktown opened the scoring when Meghan Starkey scored during the eighth minute. Haley Stevens tallied her first goal at the 27:00 mark, and the match was tied 2-2 at halftime.

Molly Ward netted a goal and an assist for the Lady Cats, and keeper Rachel Settle made nine saves.