HAWKS SHOOTING FOR ANOTHER BIG WINNER

Kelly High baseball coach Mike Scott hopes his team plays typical Hawks baseball during today's 4 p.m., Class 2A sectional game at South Pemiscot.

If the Hawks do that, then Scott figures they'll have a good chance to come away with a victory.

"We've said all year going into games that we'll get solid pitching and we'll get solid defense. We're not a big hitting team, but we like to do things right and manufacture runs," he said. "If we continue to do those things, we should have a chance against anybody we play."

The Hawks (13-9) are playing in the sectional round for only the second time in school history. They also advanced this far in 1994 -- their only other district title prior to last week's -- before being eliminated.

"We're looking forward to it," said Scott. "If we win, it would be the first time in school history. The kids are really excited."

In South Pemiscot (21-5), the Hawks will face a team that advanced to last year's Class 2A Final Four. Scott knows the Bulldogs will be formidable.

"It sounds like they're a lot like us. They're fundamentally sound, they don't make mistakes, they don't beat themselves," he said. "They'll be a tough opponent for us."

Kelly lost numerous close games during the regular season, but the Hawks reversed that trend during last week's 2A, District 2 Tournament in Scott City. In order, third-seeded Kelly beat East Prairie 3-1, then knocked off second-seeded Scott City 4-3 and stunned top-ranked Notre Dame 3-2.

"We're playing good baseball right now," Scott said. "We lost a lot of close games during the regular season, but we were in just about every game. I think that helped us in the district."

The Hawks, not an overpowering offensive team as Scott alluded to, have four players batting over .300, led by Denver Stuckey, who is at .479 and also leads the squad in home runs (three), doubles (seven), triples (five) and runs batted in (24).

Also hitting better than .300 are John Livingston (.387), Ben Klipfel (.365) and Justin Vetter (.322).

In the pitching department, Jim Hulshof (4-0), Stuckey (5-3) and Vetter (3-4) have been the primary starters.

Scott plans to start Stuckey -- who beat Scott City last week -- today, with Hulshof ready in relief. If the Hawks win, then Vetter -- who beat Notre Dame in the district final -- would get the nod in Saturday's quarterfinals.

"I've got a luxury with three pitchers," Scott said. "Denver and Jim have thrown real well all year and Justin, who had a bad arm, has come on. I think all three will give me a good effort."

South Pemiscot, winner of 10 straight games, has won three consecutive district titles. Nogi McDaniel bats about .400 to lead the Bulldogs while Aaron Burton and Brian Weber are the team's top hurlers.

"I'm looking for a close game," said Scott. "I don't think we'll get blown out and I don't think we have the firepower to blow them out. I say that going in, but you never know what will happen. But we've played a lot of close games, so we should enjoy that."