Dock silences Crystal City in title game

BENTON — Kelly starter Danielle Dock felt relaxed when she took the mound to pitch the second inning against Crystal City on Saturday morning.

The junior hurler was playing in her first district title game and admitted she felt nervous at the start of the contest. But the Hawks' offense provided the perfect remedy, scoring six times in the bottom of the first inning, leaving Dock with enough run support to stay calm and collected. She went on to pitch a two-hitter.

Dock tossed a complete game, allowing just one run. She struck out nine batters and walked three. She also went 3-for-4 at the plate to help lead the top-seeded Hawks past the No. 2 Hornets 10-1 in the Class 2 District 2 championship game at Kelly High School.

"I was really nervous before the game, but as soon as we started hitting in that first inning, I knew my team would be there 100 percent behind me," Dock said. "It was relieving because I knew [Hornets pitcher Alex Perry] was going to give us a good run. She's a really good pitcher. I was just worried we weren't going to come out and hit."

Kelly improved to 19-4 and advanced to play in a Class 2 sectional game Wednesday at home against Twin Rivers (15-6). Crystal City (22-4) was eliminated.

Kelly and Crystal City also met in last year's district title game, a much closer contest. In 2007, Kelly won 3-2 in extra innings against the same pitcher — Perry.

"The girls seemed to hit her a lot better this year," Kelly coach Rhonda Ratledge said. "That's what we've been focusing on. And we have a stronger lineup this year than we did last year. ... We just took advantage of getting the bunt down and getting some solid hits going. And so that worked for us."

The Kelly offense did a good job of stringing together a mixture of solid hits and bunts in the first off Perry.

Leadoff hitter Londyn Backfisch started the rally by singling to center field. She stole second and advanced to third when the throw sailed into center.

No. 2 hitter Katee Moore walked, putting runners at first and third. Perry came back to strike out No. 3 hitter Haley Glastetter for the first out.

Hawks cleanup hitter Casey Kern dropped down a perfect bunt, which scored Backfisch. Kern reached safely with Moore moving to third.

Dock then dropped down a squeeze bunt, scoring Moore to make it 2-0. Kelly scored two more runs off an infield single and wild pitch.

No. 8 hitter Jessica Riley capped the rally, delivering a two-run single to right field to make it 6-0.

"Here lately, we've been rattling the bats pretty good," said Moore, who went 2-for-3 with two triples. "Yesterday we came out hitting, and that was our game plan today — to just get on top quick. I think we did a good job of it, everybody up and down the lineup. ... We work on our bunts a lot [in practice]. We have a lot of different drills ... and we do spend a lot of time on that because we're kind of known for our small ball."

Dock cruised with the six-run lead. The junior retired the side in order in the second, fourth, sixth and seventh innings.

The only frame when she slightly struggled was the third. She walked two batters before allowing a two-out RBI single to Perry.

Dock's fastball and dropball gave the Hornets some trouble while Dock said she struggled throwing her changeup.

Dock transferred to Kelly from Notre Dame during September of her sophomore year. Because of the transfer, she had to sit out last year, when Kelly made its state run, which ended with the Hawks placing third in Class 2. Dock said she is excited to make another run at a state title — this time in the middle of the action.

"I got to watch the girls play and I knew next year I'd be able to play with them," Dock said. "So I supported them and kept them up while they went to state. And I'm hoping we can make another trip this year."

Ratledge said she has not decided whether Dock — who has a 12-3 record — will start all the remaining games or how she will line up her pitching staff as the Hawks try to move on.

Ratledge has three pitchers — Dock, Riley and Heather Beggs.

"I don't ever answer those questions," Ratledge said. "We take it one day at a time and see what the pitchers are doing, go from there and look at the team we're facing."

Crystal City 001 000 0 — 1 2 3

Kelly 610 300 0 — 10 12 1

WP — Danielle Dock 12-3 LP — Alex Perry. 3B — Katee Moore 2 (K). Multiple hits — Kelly: Londyn Backfisch 2-4, Moore 2-3, Casey Kern 2-3, Dock 3-4; Crystal City — Perry 2-3. Records — Crystal City 22-4, Kelly 19-4.