Casey Kern, Kelly softball

The Kelly softball team is returning to the state final four for a second straight year, playing Friday in Columbia at the Rainbow Softball Complex. It is the 11th time in school history the Hawks have made it to this round of the playoffs.

And the team play of first baseman Casey Kern is one important reason Kelly is still in contention for its third state title.

The power-hitting first baseman, who bats No. 4 in the Hawks' lineup, laid down a bunt to drive in the winning run Saturday in a quarterfinal game against Principia. It was the second time in Kelly's past three contests that she knocked home the winning run on a bunt. The other one was against Crystal City to win the district title.

The junior said she was surprised Hawks' coach Rhonda Ratledge called upon her again to bunt.

"I was expecting to hit," she said. "But she gave me a squeeze sign and I was like, 'All right.' ... I don't even know if the play was close at home."

Kern was a pitcher last year but because of offseason shoulder surgery she has been unable to throw from the mound. She is excited about the trip to Columbia and about the way juniors Heather Beggs and Jessica Riley have pitched in her absence, which is the other main reason the Hawks will return to the final four.

"Heather is good at keeping the ball low, and Jess is good at moving the ball," Kern said Saturday. "It does not make a difference which one throws."