Semoball

Kennett baseball squad hammers its way past Valle Catholic 9-1 in Class 4 sectional

Photo by Dustin Ward, staff
Kennett's Tanner Duncan heads back to first base in a Class 4 baseball sectional against Valle Catholic Tuesday at Indian Park.

KENNETT - It didn’t take long for the Kennett Indians baseball squad to make a statement with its bats in its Class 4 sectional against Valle Catholic Tuesday.

Starting pitcher Payton Heinley stepped to the plate with the bases loaded with two outs in the bottom of the first inning and connected for a bases-clearing 3 RBI triple to put Kennett on top 3-0.

“I was just going up there and trying to hit a line drive that reached the outfield grass,” Heinley said. “And I managed to hit it in a gap.”

The offensive success continued for the Indians as the game aged. Kennett scored multiple runs in three innings as it beat visiting Valle Catholic 9-1 at Indian Park.

“Our pitching was outstanding again today,” Kennett coach Aaron New said. “We gave up one run on a ball we probably should have caught. Their pitchers were good also but we’ve faced guys like that all year long because of our tough schedule. I thought we put together one of our best offensive performances of the year today when we needed it most.”

Kennett scored three runs in the first, two runs in the third inning, and four more runs in the fifth inning for its nine-run total. Braden Tice delivered a 2 RBI triple for Kennett in the fifth frame and Tanner Duncan collected a RBI single in the bottom of the third inning.

“We had really good offensive execution today and ran the bases well,” Duncan said.

Collin Vaeth deliver a two-out 2 RBI hit in the top of the second frame to account for Valle Catholic’s only run.

Valle Catholic, which stranded 11 baserunners, left the bases loaded in the second, fourth, and seventh innings.

“Baseball is a crazy sport and sometimes you get yourself in a jam,” Heinley said. “But what really matters is if you can find a way out of it and we were able to do that multiple times today.”

Heinley pitched the first 3 2/3 innings for Kennett. He allowed one earned run, five hits, struck out four, and walked one.

Reese Robinett pitched the next 2 1/3 innings for Kennett before being relieved by Kobe Gates who got the final three outs. Robinett allowed no runs, one hit, struck out four, and walked two. Gates allowed no hits, struck out two, and walked three.

“We’ve got some of the best pitchers around and they keep doing their job,” said Duncan, who is the starting catcher for the Indians.

Chase Fallert pitched the first 4 2/3 innings for Valle Catholic before being relieved by Jayden Gegg who got the final four outs. Fallert allowed nine runs (five earned), six hits, struck out six, and walked five. Gegg allowed no runs, one hit, struck out one, and walked one.

Kennett improves to 23-8 with the win. It is the first time Kennett has advanced to the state quarterfinals in baseball since 2012.

“I’m very happy for our team,” Robinett said. “This is a big deal and I’m excited.”

Valle Catholic finishes its season with a record of 28-5. It graduates three seniors - Drew Bauman, Austin Burnett, and Gegg.

Priory (13-11) will host Kennett in a Class 4 quarterfinal Thursday. Priory beat Affton 2-1 in nine innings in its sectional Tuesday.

“We should have everyone available to pitch but Payton on Thursday,” New said.

Photo by Dustin Ward, staff
Kennett's Brooks Nigut steps to the plate.
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