Raiders take advantage of Vikings' errors

By JASON VIOX\Daily Journal Sports Writer

BONNE TERRE - The Valley Vikings were hoping to defeat another large school in the conference tournament on Tuesday, but the top seeded North County Raiders had other plans. North County took advantage of a few mistakes from the Vikings and piled up 13 hits for an 11-1 win in six innings.

Both teams were held scoreless until the bottom of the third inning. North County's Chad Moss singled with two outs, but an outfielder fumbled the ball, and Moss reached second base. Matt Thompson followed with an RBI single, then stole second. Josh Jaco drove Thompson in with a single to center field, but a wild pick-off throw placed Jaco on second.

Tyler Beers hit an infield-fly ball, but the catch was not made as another tally crossed the plate. After Aaron Blunt came through with a single, Beers scored on another wild pick-off throw for a 4-0 advantage.

Valley's lone run came in the top of the fourth frame. Jake Smith posted a base hit, then Zach Hagerty singled with two outs. Kris Kearns followed with a RBI single to left field.

The Raiders got that run back in the bottom of the inning. Valley recorded two outs, but Nick Hulsey drew a walk and stole second base. Moss blasted a double to left-center field for a 5-1 contest.

Jaco was hit by a pitch in the fifth inning, then Blunt extended his team's lead with a two-run shot that hit the scoreboard for a 7-1 contest.

North County's Dan Burt reached second in the sixth inning on an infield error and a wild pitch, then Moss came through with his third base hit of the day to place runners on the corners. Moss stole second base, then Derek Gibson and Jaco came through with back-to-back RBI singles.

A wild pitch moved both runners up a bag, then Bryan Howard recorded a sacrifice fly to left field to knock in another tally. After C.J. Peterson was hit by a pitch, Kyle Moses drilled a RBI single down the left-field line to end the game early.

Jaco got the win for the Raiders in six innings. He surrendered five hits, no walks, and posted four strike outs.

North County, now 11-5, will meet Central at Wilson-Rozier field today. Valley (8-7) will take on Ste. Genevieve in the fifth-place semi-finals on North County's field the same day. Both games are scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m.

Valley - 000 100 - 1 5 4

North County - 004 124 - 11 13 0

WP - J Jaco 6i 5h 1r 1er 0bb 4k.

LP - K Martin 5i 8h 4r 4er 1bb 0k.

Hitting:

Valley - J Fahland 1-3, M Dodd 1-3, J Smith 1-3, Z Hagerty 1-2, K Kearns 1-2.

North County - C Moss 3-4, M Thompson 2-3, J Jaco 2-3, A Blunt 2-4, K Moses 2-4, C Peterson 1-3, D Gibson 1-1. 2b - C Moss. HR - A Blunt.

SOCCER

Sikeston 3, Farmington 0

FARMINGTON - The Farmington Knightettes soccer team struggled during Tuesday's match-up against the visiting Sikeston. Farmington had some good scoring chances, but could not capitalize on them as Sikeston emerged victorious 3-0.

Sikeston had a pair of quick goals early in the contest and added one more in the second half. Sikeston had an 11-8 edge in shots on goal over the Knightettes. Farmington's goalie Tabitha Ainsworth recorded eight saves.

Farmington will host Timberland today.