Dalton Forck leads Kelly to stunning comeback over Scott City

BENTON, Mo. — In an incredible display of determination and skill, the Kelly baseball team overcame a deficit to secure a thrilling 8-6 victory over Scott City on Thursday, April 13.

The Hawks (10-4) used an outstanding performance from Dalton Forck to earn the win over the Rams (7-4) at Kelly High School.

“We scratched and clawed out opportunities,” said Kelly coach Josh Hopkins. “The crowd was fantastic and it was a playoff atmosphere. Our kids did a good job of making adjustments and taking it one at bat at a time.”

Kelly's Ross Peters bunts during an 8-6 win over Scott City at Kelly High School on Thursday, April 13. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Forck started the game and earned the win after 6.1 innings of work. He allowed three earned runs on seven hits with nine strikeouts and two walks.

Nicholas Christian recorded the final two outs for the team with one strikeout. He didn’t give up any runs or hits.

Scott City gained a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning after a home run by Colin Blaylock. The Rams extended the lead to 5-0 in the second inning after Chris Venables hit a two-run home run and Kobe Watson singled to score Mark Pangos. Scott City added another run in the third inning to increase the lead to 6-0 after Gavin Venable scored on a single by Chris Venable.

Kelly's Drew Klipfel sprints for first base during an 8-6 win over Scott City at Kelly High School on Thursday, April 13. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

“Forck struggled the first two innings,” Hopkins said. “That’s no one’s idea of a good start, especially when you’re potentially playing for the No. 1 seed in the district tournament. But after the third inning, he did a great good of getting on their heels and putting goose eggs on the scoreboard. That’s a credit to both Forck and coach [Trent] Sidwell for the gameplan.”

Kelly narrowed the lead to 6-4 in the bottom of the third inning after Mason Eubanks scored on a single by Forck, Jett Hull had a double that scored Forck and Reece Eftink and Hull scored on a ground out.

The Hawks added another run in the bottom of the fifth innings when Forck scored on a single by Drew Klipfel.

Kelly's Reece Eftink rounds third base during an 8-6 win over Scott City at Kelly High School on Thursday, April 13. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Kelly gained its first lead when Forck doubled to score Jacob Chapman, Ross Peters and Eftink in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Colin Blaylock took the loss after allowing two runs on one hit and a walked batter.

Kelly travels to Valle Catholic (12-2) on Monday, April 17, and to Charleston (4-6) on Thursday, April 20.

Kelly's Mason Eubanks makes a throw during an 8-6 win over Scott City at Kelly High School on Thursday, April 13. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Scott City will compete in the Malden Tournament this weekend and host a doubleheader against Meadow Heights (5-3) and Neelyville (8-4) on Thursday, April 20.

__KELLY 8, SCOTT CITY 6__

Scott City 231 000 0 — 6 7 2

Kelly 004 013 x — 8 7 1

W—Dalton Forck. L—Colin Blaylock. S—Nicholas Christian. 2B—Scott City: Gavin Venable, Mark Panago; Kelly: Jett Hull, Christian, Force. 3B—Scott City: Chris Venable, Blaylock.