C3D2: Kelly grinds out 3-2 win over Clearwater

SCOTT CITY, Mo. — Kelly survived an early scare and battled to a 3-2 win over Clearwater in the opening round of the MSHSAA Class 3, District 2 Tournament on Friday, May 10.

The Tigers (3-17) came out swinging, loading the bases in the top of the first inning and taking a 2-0 lead on a fly ball double to center field. But the Hawks (11-15) quickly answered back.

“It was a total team win,” said Kelly coach Josh Hopkins. “The young guys stepped up big today and our pitching was good enough to keep Clearwater at bay.”

Kelly narrowed the lead to 2-1 when Ross Peters stole home in the bottom of the first inning.

Peters again proved a sparkplug in the third inning, scoring on an error to knot the game at 2-2.

Kaleb Yount crossed home plate moments later on Reece Eftink’s RBI single, giving the team a 3-2 advantage it would not relinquish.

The Hawks threatened to add insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning as Brody Oesch and Avery Wolsey reached base with back-to-back singles but ultimately came away empty-handed.

Peters delivered a gutsy performance on the mound, earning the win with 5.1 innings of work, allowing two earned runs on four hits while striking out eight and walking two.

Wolsey came in for the save, closing out the final 1.2 innings with two strikeouts and no baserunners allowed.

Kelly will face Notre Dame (14-12) in the tournament’s semifinals on Monday, May 13 at 4:30 p.m.

__KELLY 3, CLEARWATER 2__

Clr. Water 200 000 0 — 2 4 1

Kelly 102 000 x — 3 4 1

W—Ross Peters. L—Brenden Lashley. 2B—Malcolm Rains.