After slow start, Hawks eventually get rolling to fifth straight crown

PERRYVILLE -- The Kelly softball team came to life in the fourth inning and cruised to a 6-1 victory over Crystal City on Saturday in the Class 2 District 2 title game at the Perry Park Center.

Kelly claimed its fifth straight district title. Next for the Hawks is a home sectional Wednesday afternoon against Twin Rivers.

The top-seeded Hawks (23-6) were held hitless the first three innings by Crystal City starter Alex Perry, but they finally broke through for two runs in the fourth. Kelly added two more runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to wrap up the win.

Katee Moore was hit by a pitch to start the fourth for Kelly. Hawks starting pitcher Kalie Hughes broke up the no-hitter to put runners on first and second. Casey Kern loaded the bases with a bunt single.

Summer Procter lined out for the first out, but the shortstop tried to go to third and threw wildly, allowing a run to score. Kelly scored another run on an error in the inning.

Kern had an RBI in the fifth, the other run in the inning scored on an error, and Sarah Ruff and Kaitlyn Vetter had RBIs in the sixth.

Kelly coach Rhonda Ratledge said the Hawks were just a little nervous to start the game.

"Everyone comes in with nerves," she said. "Everyone does. We put it in play the first three innings, so I couldn't complain about us putting it in play. All nine girls put it in play.

"The first three innings they made the plays. The fourth inning we got some girls on, got them around and everyone started hitting."

Hughes limited No. 2 seed Crystal City to just one hit and struck out 11. The lone problem for Hughes was four walks, most coming late in the game.

"She was terrific those first four innings," Ratledge said. "Then about the fifth and sixth innings, she starting getting three balls on them."

Kelly lost in the sectional round last year after claiming the Class 2 state title in 2004.

"I'm satisfied where the girls are at right now," Ratledge said. "We just have to take it one game at a time, but in the back of my head, it's [the final four] two games away."

KELLY 6, CRYSTAL CITY 1

Crystal City 000 001 0 -- 1 1 3

Kelly 000 222 x -- 6 6 0

WP -- Kalie Hughes; LP -- Alex Perry. 2B -- Brittany Ponder (K); 3B -- Sarah Ruff (K). Multiple hits -- Kelly, Casey Kern 2-3. Records -- Kelly, 23-6.