Leeper's one-hitter leads South Callaway past Palmyra in Class 3 sectionals

PALMYRA, Mo. - Peyton Leeper tossed a one-hitter Monday, leading the South Callaway Bulldogs to a 1-0 upset of the top-ranked Palmyra Panthers in the Class 3 sectionals.

South Callaway, ranked No. 6 in the state, scored the game's only run in the bottom of the third inning. Leeper reached base on an error and advanced to second base on a groundout. With two outs, Jared Mistler singled to left field, scoring Leeper for the game's only run.

Mistler's hit was one of three total between the two teams. Leeper had the Bulldogs' other hit, a one-out single in the fifth.

Leeper carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning. After recording back-to-back strikeouts, Dakota Compton singled to left field for Palmyra's only hit.

Leeper threw 103 pitches in the shutout, striking out nine and walking two to improve his season record to 10-0 and lowering his season ERA to 0.61.

Palmyra had five batters reach base. In addition to the two walks and the base hit, one reached on a hit by pitch and another reached base on an error.

Jacob Kroeger was the losing pitcher for Palmyra (22-5). In 4 innings, he gave up one run on two hits with five walks and four strikeouts.

The Panthers had only one baserunner reach third base, but Leeper stranded the runner by getting a flyout to left field to end the top of the third.

South Callaway (24-8) plays Wednesday at Montgomery County (16-8) in the quarterfinals. The Wildcats defeated Whitfield 13-1 on Monday, pulling away with an 11-run seventh inning.

Wednesday's game is still to be determined.