Gilmore's homer caps off Kennett's comeback win over Paragould

KENNETT – The Indians chipped away at a slow start and an early deficit to come back and win 6-4 over Paragould High School at home Thursday, May 4, 2023.

“It was good to come back,” Kennett coach Aaron New said. “We didn't get off to a great start, but it's a sign of a good team when you can find a way to win. That's kind of what we did today.”

The Rams picked up three runs in the second inning to pull away early on. Kennett answered with two of their own in the third, but Paragould scored another in the fourth to take a 4-2 advantage.

Senior Tanner Pierce made it home on a wild pitch in the fifth inning, and Peyton Branum doubled home Trey Gardner in the bottom of the sixth to tie the ballgame for the first time.

A quick sequence of two strikeouts and a ground out executed by John Poole took the Indians back to bat.

Pierce singled on a line drive, then Hayden Gilmore stepped up and connected for a home run over the right field wall to prevent extra innings.

“That was a huge swing for him,” New commented about Gilmore. “He's not swung the bat as well as he's wanted to, but in the last three weeks he's really started to come on. That's a good sign for him, and I was excited to see that today.”

Kennett's Tanner Pierce runs home in a game against Paragould Thursday, May 4, 2023. Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

Pierce led the hosts on offense with three runs and an RBI on two hits. Gilmore, Trey Gardner and Ashton Williams all posted a run each.

After testing three pitchers on the mound, New explained the strategy at this point in the season is to spread out innings to as many pitchers as possible in preparation for the upcoming district tournament.

Gilmore started for the Indians and allowed two hits, four walks and surrendered three earned runs.

Peyton Branum spent the most time on the mound. He pitched for 3.1 innings and allowed three hits and an earned run while striking out four batters. He was relieved by Trey Gardner for the final two innings who struck out four and didn't allow a single hit or run.

Kennett's Trey Gardner throws a pitch in a game against Paragould Thursday, May 4, 2023. Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

“We finally got some good at-bats,” New said. “We made some plays when we had to, but we didn't play great defensively. Pitching was pretty good though. Payton and Trey both came in and did a really good job. We just have to get off to a better start.”

Nelson McHaney, Wyatt Eckles and Parker Thompson combined for Paragould's four runs.

Kennett travels to East Carter Monday with the first pitch going out at 4:30. They host South Pemiscot Tuesday at 3:30 before entering the Class 4 District 1 tournament as the No. 2 seed. Kennett takes on third-seeded Fredericktown Monday, May 15, at 6 p.m., in Dexter.

“I think we're in a good place,” New said. “We didn't have as much concentration as we had against Jackson, but that was a championship game and it's hard to do that. Hopefully we just learned a lesson about how you need to come out ready to play every day.”