April showers

As the old saying goes, April showers bring May flowers.

Those same April showers can also create scheduling headaches for area athletic directors.

Thunderstorms, heavy rain or the threat of either began causing spring sporting events to be postponed or canceled over a four-day stretch from last Wednesday through Saturday.

Steven Kemp’s Owensville Dutchmen baseball team saw their Four Rivers Conference (FRC) showdown against St. James Tigers set for last Wednesday at OHS Field postponed and rescheduled for Wednesday, May 7.

Even though it only stormed briefly around 3 p.m., last Wednesday in Owensville High School (OHS) officials called the game shortly after a tornado watch was issued for the area late that morning.

John Viehland’s Belle Tiger golf team was also affected by the weather forecast last Wednesday as the annual Russellville Golf Tournament scheduled to be played at Redfield Golf Course in Eugene was postponed and rescheduled for Monday, April 28.

Steady rain and storms wiped out the entire area sports slate last Thursday.

Varsity and junior varsity Dutchmen baseball in FRC road action at Union was postponed and made up last night (Tuesday) at Union High School.

Brady Smith’s Dutchmen freshmen baseball team also had their scheduled home Thursday contest with Waynesville postponed due to wet field conditions and rescheduled for Monday, May 5.

Bryce Gehlert’s Belle Tiger baseball team also fell victim to Mother Nature as their scheduled Highway 28 road baseball showdown in Dixon against the Bulldogs was postponed due to wet field conditions in Pulaski County.

A make-up date was not known as of press time for that contest.

Cullen VanLeer’s OHS Golf team also saw their scheduled FRC meet at Owensville Golf Course for Thursday against St. Clair and Union postponed due to unplayable course conditions.

That meet will be made up on Thursday, April 24.

Kim McGee’s Owensville Dutchgirl soccer team also felt the effects of Mother Nature seeing their Highway 28 road showdown on the pitch in Dixon against the Lady Bulldogs postponed last Thursday.

That match will be made up on Friday, May 9.

Area track teams were also affected by the rain and storms.

Bland Middle School’s (BMS) Bears and Lady Bears saw their scheduled meet at Bourbon for last Thursday canceled with no make-up date known at press time.

David Martin’s Vienna High School track and field team lost a meet Thursday as the Eugene Open Track Meet in Cole County was canceled and it will not be made up.

Hermann High School Athletic Director Todd Anderson also felt the effects of Mother Nature last week.

Jake Witthaus’ Hermann Bearcat golf team saw their dual meet at Sullivan from Thursday, April 3 postponed due to wet course conditions and rescheduled for Tuesday, April 24.

Wayland McKague’s Bearcat baseball team was also supposed to host Sullivan’s Eagles Thursday night at Dick Oschner Ball Park with that game being postponed and rescheduled for last night (Tuesday).

Three more track meets fell victim to Mother Nature’s dousing of rain in mid-Missouri and along Interstate 44.

Blair Oaks’ Middle School Invitational was washed out leaving Owensville and Vienna with one less meet on their schedule as it will not be made up.

Belle High School track saw their scheduled Friday meet at Lebanon High School also canceled and it will not be made up.

Matt Candrl’s OHS track teams were supposed to compete at Southern Boone High School in Ashland but excessive rain also canceled that meet which will not be made up.

Before the calendar even turned the page to Saturday, April 5, two area sporting events were called off due to continued excessive rainfall in the forecast.

Washington High School’s pentathlon track meet involving Owensville Saturday was canceled and it will not be made up.

Saturday baseball involving Vienna, Linn and Father Tolton was also postponed with a reschedule date being worked on at press time.

Additional Saturday baseball between Hermann, Elsberry and Bowling Green was also washed out and it will not be rescheduled.