By MATT KING
Daily Journal Sports Writer

Published: Friday, September 26, 2008
Updated: Friday, September 26, 2008 11:02 AM CDT

FARMINGTON — The Ste. Genevieve softball team capitalized on a stunning defensive collapse by host Farmington on Thursday, and locked up a fourth-place finish in the final MAAA standings with a decisive 17-3 victory.

Ste. Genevieve (6-13) posted 10 runs while sending 14 batters to the plate during the fourth inning, and tallied five more in the sixth, as Farmington (5-11) faltered behind 13 total errors.

Lindsey Burgert finished 2-for-5 with four RBI, while Leticia Hindrichs and Alicia Viox added two hits apiece for the Hunters. Taylor McMillon and Becky Hermann each scored three runs in the triumph.

The Hunters were held without a hit through three innings by Farmington pitcher Erin Littrell, but four miscues and five timely hits completely altered the complexion of the game in the fourth.

Senior catcher Brittany Basler delivered a long two-run double to left field with the bases loaded, and Burgert followed with a two-run single that gave Ste. Genevieve a 7-3 advantage. A RBI hit by Hindrichs and two throwing errors prolonged the lengthy inning.

Four consecutive Hunters reached base on Farmington errors during the top of the sixth, including three on dropped fly balls as Ste. Genevieve (6-13) invoked the 10-run mercy rule.

Senior Day featured a positive start for the Knightettes (5-11), who struck for three runs in the opening frame. Littrell highlighted the early rally with a two-run triple to right-center, and scored on a RBI single by Chelsea Thomure.

Hindrichs shut down the Farmington offense from there to earn the win, scattering seven hits with one strikeout over six innings.

Allie Trask finished 2-for-3 with two infield singles for Farmington. Katie Currington, Tayler Benne and Beth Meyer also added hits.

Potosi 12, Fredericktown 2

FREDERICKTOWN — A season of marked improvement for the Potosi softball program was punctuated by a second-place overall finish in the MAAA Conference standings.

The Lady Trojans also locked up an important first-round bye for the upcoming league tournament with a 12-2 victory at Fredericktown on Thursday afternoon.

Jinnger Rogers and Bethany McCoy each went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles to lead Potosi (11-7). Sophomore pitcher Ali Rhodes also collected three singles and earned the win.

Brianna Denman doubled in defeat for the Lady Cats (8-11), who split two meetings against every other MAAA team to finish 5-5 in conference play. Mariah Korokis and Chelsey McDowell added singles.

North County 5, Central 1

PARK HILLS — The North County softball team ended an offensive struggle with four runs in the seventh inning, and capped its conference championship journey with a 5-1 triumph at Central.

Central freshman Taylor Friend carried a no-hitter in the circle through six frames, but issued three walks and three hits to the Lady Raiders during the decisive seventh.

Jenna Dennison put North County ahead 2-1 with a RBI single after Jennifer Hackworth walked and Jamie Bullock sacrificed. Holly Gallagher and Brittani O’Connell later widened the gap with RBI hits.

Hackworth went the distance on a three-hitter of her own, and struck out 10 batters for the win. North County (15-2) compiled a 9-1 conference record, and will hold the top seed next week in the MAAA tournament.

Sarah Tripp, Sabrina Tripp and Friend each had singles for Central (5-10).