SIKESTON — Cape Central stayed a step ahead of the curve in a 9-6 win over Sikeston at the Sports Complex on Tuesday, Sep. 17.

The Lady Tigers (3-10) ability to capitalize on momentum and contain the Lady Bulldogs’ (2-9) rallies proved to be the difference-maker.

“It was fun,” said Cape Central coach Jessica Compas. “That’s the biggest thing. We told the girls we didn’t care about the outcome, but we did want the effort. We had that today.”

Cape Central struck first in the top of the first inning when Morgan Patrick singled to centerfield, scoring Bella Pattengill to give the Lady Tigers a 1-0 lead. The Lady Tigers added to their lead in the second inning with Jaymyia Ivory and Kriszhya McMullen scoring on a stolen base and ground out, respectively.

Sikeston responded in the bottom of the second inning, narrowing the gap to 3-2 after Alexa Lee and Lily Robbins each scored on passed balls. The Lady Bulldogs continued their comeback in the bottom of the fourth inning, tying the game at 3-3 when Cambree Scott scored on a passed ball.

Cape Central regained the lead in the top of the fifth inning, with Patrick once again delivering a key hit. Her single to centerfield scored Pattengill, giving the Lady Tigers a 4-3 advantage. However, Sikeston quickly responded, tying the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth inning when Dakota Thompson scored on a ground out.

The sixth inning proved to be a pivotal frame for Cape Central. Mya Farrar and Haley Wolfe each scored on errors, while Patrick continued her offensive onslaught with another single, scoring Pattengill for the third time and giving the team a 7-4 advantage.

Sikeston made a late push in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring two runs on consecutive passed balls. It was Scott and Lee again who capitalized on the errors.

But the Lady Tigers quickly extinguished any hopes of a comeback in the top of the seventh inning as Ava Knotts scored on a double by Wolfe, and Pattengill followed with a single to score Wolfe, extending the lead to 9-6.

“Wolfe came up big with two-out hits several times,” Compas said. “She was amazing. She’s been working on making little adjustments and how she composes herself. She took care of business today.”

Pattengill earned the win for Cape Central, tossing a complete game and allowing just two earned runs on two hits while striking out 12 and walking four.

loss, Sikeston’s Chloe Hamby continued to be a standout for the team. She also pitched a complete game, allowing five earned runs on 14 hits while striking out 11 and walking three.

“She mixed it up well and stayed ahead of the hitters,” said Sikeston coach Wyatt Pratt. “Today was a step in the right direction for the team. I saw a lot of positives out there today. We swung the bats a lot better, pitched well and were much more competitive, but we just didn’t get that big hit today.”

Sikeston travels to Twin Rivers (3-4) on Wednesday, Sep. 18, and to Poplar Bluff on Thursday, Sep. 19.

Cape Central hosts Kelly (8-5) on Wednesday, Sep. 18, and is on the road at North County (2-5) on Thursday, Sep. 19.