BONUTTI ON TRACK TO REPEAT AS KELSO KLASSIC CHAMPION

KELSO -- Pre-tournament favorite Meierhoffer Fast Pitch from Savannah and defending champion Bonutti Softball Club lived up to their advance billing as the Kelso Klassic trimmed its 16-team field Saturday at Kelso City Park.

Bonutti and Savannah were both still alive and well in the winners' bracket Saturday night.

The two teams may pair off in today's winners' bracket final at noon today.

Play resumes today in the double-elimination tournament at 10:30 a.m. The tournament championship game is scheduled for 4:30.

Bonutti, which has won four of the last six Kelso Klassics, advanced to the winners' bracket final by going 3-0 in tournament play. Savannah was playing University Chrysler in a winner's bracket semifinal when the Southeast Missourian went to press.

Bonutti won its opener 4-3 Friday and added a 9-7, nine-inning victory over Montclaire Bowl on Saturday in the second round. It later advanced to the winners' bracket final with a 2-0 victory over Mueth's Tavern.

Savannah features a world class pitching staff and the team displayed it Saturday. Savannah did not allow a run through the first two rounds, first blanking Herrin Budweiser 9-0 and then shutting out Kohlfeld Distributing 3-0.

Mueth's Tavern reached the winner's bracket semifinals in similar fashion, blanking Memphis Pomen 6-0 and the Belleville (Ill.) Stallions 3-0.

University Chrysler advanced to its semifinal showdown with Savannah via a forfeit win over Teutopolis and a 4-1 win over Pickneyville.

Pickneyville and Kohlfeld, relegated to the losers' bracket, were the first two teams eliminated. Action Amusement disposed of Kohlfeld 5-3 and Taylorville Bob Ridings ousted Pickneyville 9-8 in eight innings.