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Kennett beats Portageville 14-4 in Class 1 softball sectional
Kennett’s Whitnee Duncan turns on a pitch in a Class 1 sectional against Portageville Monday afternoon at Indian Park in Kennett.
KENNETT, Mo. - The Kennett Indians softball team trailed 4-1 after two innings of play but still found a way to secure a run-rule victory against the Portageville Bulldogs in a Class 1 sectional Monday at Indian Park.
Kennett’s Kamryn Nelson races to first base after collecting a hit against Portageville in a Class 1 sectional Monday at Indian Park in Kennett.
Kennett erased a 4-1 deficit by scoring 11 unanswered runs and hung on to beat Portageville 14-4 in five innings.
Portageville's Cayl Crafton races around the bases in a Class 1 sectional Monday at Indian Park in Kennett.
“These girls continue to do the things we ask them to do,” Kennett coach Laurie Vaughan said of her team’s latest rally. “They continue to fight and are always aggressive at the plate. They never get down on each other or themselves and it shows. They stay positive and they are good teammates to each other.
Portageville's Kelsi Miller makes a throw from centerfield in a Class 1 sectional Monday at Indian Park In Kennett.
“We are going to make mistakes like every team,” Vaughan added. “You can allow that to get you down or you can move forward and overcome it. Luckily, we’ve been overcoming our mistakes lately instead of letting it knock us down and I couldn’t be more proud of the girls for the way they were able to do that today.”
Portageville, which was shut out by Kennett 13-0 earlier this season, displayed its own offensive firepower early in the second meeting. The Bulldogs recorded six of its nine hits in the first two innings.
Portageville scored an unearned run in the first inning and plated three more runs in the second inning. Callie Roberts and Cayla Crafton had RBI singles for the Bulldogs in the second frame.
“We came out swinging and played good defense,” Portageville softball coach Ashlie Patton said. “Our goal was to come out against Kennett better than we did last time and we definitely did. We just had one rough inning against a really solid team. It’s a good feeling we were able to hang with them and keep things closer than we did the last game.”
Kennett tied things up at 1-1 when Hanah Davis scored from third base on a wild pitch in the top of the second inning before Portageville moved back ahead 4-1 with three runs in the bottom of the second frame.
The Indians moved ahead 5-4 with four runs in the top of the third inning and added nine additional runs in the top of the fourth inning to set the final score.
“Anytime you score runs it’s a good day,” Vaughan said. “You have to score runs to win games. They just attacked today and I hope they carry the confidence they have at the plate into the next game.”
Kayton Harris and Caroline Byers both finished 2 for 4 with three RBIs for Kennett. Adelynn Nelson was 1 for 3 with three RBIs for the Indians. Kamryn Nelson finished 3 for 5 with one RBI, Sydni McAtee was 3 for 4 with one RBI, Emillie Johnson went 1 for 3 with one RBI and Meagan Pickens was 2 for 3 for Kennett.
Johnson collected a complete game win for Kennett in the circle. She allowed four runs (three earned), nine hits, struck out six and did not walk a hitter in an 87-pitch five-inning outing.
“Portageville has always been a good hitting team and we knew that going into today,” Vaughan said. “Teams are going to hit the ball and we just have to be able to make the plays. Unfortunately, we didn’t do that at the beginning of the game. But we settled down. Emillie always has good composure on the mound, especially for a sophomore. She focusses in on throwing the pitches that are asked of her and doesn’t let the other things rattle her. And that’s a good thing to have for someone that is where she is at right now.”
Portageville finishes its season with a record of 8-8. It graduates seven seniors off of a squad that beat Cooter 18-1 to win the Class 1, District 1 title last week.
“We started off a little rough this season but these girls have always been fighters,” Patton said. “I’ve been with these seniors since Day 1 and they were a strong-willed bunch of girls that are very competitive. They will definitely be missed next year.”
Kennett (16-9) will play at Park Hills Central (20-3) in a Class 1 quarterfinal Thursday. Park Hills beat visiting Malden 16-0 in its sectional Monday. Park Hills won the first meeting against Kennett 11-1 in the Ste. Genevieve Tournament on Apr. 20.
“We’ve played there before,” Vaughan said. “We went there for the Ste. Genevieve Tournament. We got to play two games on their field which was good because it allowed us to get familiar with their facility. We’ve also seen Park Hills before. Hopefully, that will be to our advantage. But again we’ve just got to go play our game and hope for good things to happen.”
Kennett 14, Portageville 4
KHS 014 90 - 14 15 2
PHS 130 00 - 4 9 5
WP - Emillie Johnson. LP - Savannah Lovins. 3B - Kamryn Nelson (K). 2B - Kayton Harris (K), Caroline Byers (K). Multiple hits - Kennett: Meagan Pickens 2-3, Kamryn Nelson 3-5, Harris 2-4, Sydni McAtee 3-4, Byers 2-4; Portageville: Lovins 2-3, Cayla Crafton 2-3.