vA new name has been etched into the record books of Jackson High School Athletics, Kimmora Carothers.

The Jackson senior softball player is the new record holder for career home runs after hitting her 14th long ball against Winfield on September 7.

Since then the power hitter has another home run for a career total of 15 and is closing in on the single-season record of seven, hitting four in the first 13 games.

Jackson head coach Shawn Wilding said timing and power make Carothers so good at hitting home runs.

“When she is on time she hits the ball a long way. She can hit the ball square, and when she does, you may as well get another one out of the box, that ball is going to join her collection,” Wilding said. “She has quick hands right through the zone and a good launch angle. She’s smoked ones right past the scoreboard, which is 30 feet behind the fence.”

Carothers has been playing softball since she was a little kid with her father, Maurice Carothers, coaching her every step of the way. Playing for such a long time is what Carothers said allows her to be so successful on the diamond.

“It means a lot, I feel like I’ve put in a lot of work. After games, I come to the field and hit so I put in the work so it’s nice to have the record show that,” Carothers said. “Playing from a young age has helped and my dad has coached me all the way to high school. He’s my hitting coach and a big reason why I hit the way I do.”

With 20 regular season games left in the season combined with Jackson’s ability as a team to make a postseason run, there is no telling where the career home run record will stand when Carothers is done.

Around Southeast Missouri

Soccer: Saxony Lutheran defeated St. Pius X 1-0 on a goal from Brayden Moore. Crusaders goalie Owen Buccheit notched his second clean sheet of the season and has allowed only one goal during Saxony Lutheran's 3-0 start. Saxony Lutheran travels to Notre Dame to renew the local rivalry on Sept. 17, at 5 p.m.

Softball: Chaffee continued its winning streak with a 5-2 win over Saxony Lutheran, extending it to nine. Paizleigh Graham went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Bailey Robertson also went 2-for-4 with an RBI of her own. Carlyanne Cossou pitched a complete game on the circle, allowing two runs on six hits with three strikeouts. The Red Devils (11-1) travel to East Carter on Friday, Sept. 13.

Softball: Perryville followed up its first win of the season with a 12-0 loss at home to Hillsboro. Despite the lopsided loss, coach Jim Simpson finds solace in the duration. "Perryville played strides again tonight, playing solid defense. Hillsboro just hit the ball really well," Simpson said. "Last year, it was over in three innings, so playing with them for six innings was a win for us." Perryville hosts Kelly on Sept. 16.

Volleyball (Wednesday): Oak Ridge defeated St. Paul Lutheran in straight sets (25-14, 25-9, 25-22) behind Reagan Howe's 17 kills, Kenadie Ward's 25 assists, and Kinsley Bogenpohl's 25 digs and eight aces. Kaelyn Deckerd contributed 17 digs and eight kills for the Blue Jays (4-1), who have won four straight entering the Dig for Life Tournament.

Soccer (Wednesday): Perryville defeated North County on the road 7-0 to improve to 4-2 on the season. It was the Pirates' highest-scoring game of the season, boosting their averages to 2.5 goals per game. Junior goalkeeper Waylon Huber posted his second clean sheet of the season, as the Pirates have allowed an average of one goal per game. Perryville's travels continue as the Pirates participate in the Hannibal Pirate Tournament on Friday-Saturday, in Hannibal, Mo.

Softball (Wednesday): Notre Dame defeated Farmington 2-0 behind Jacie Smith's home run. The Bulldogs improved to 6-4 and will travel to Doniphan on Sept. 16.