KELLY ADVANCES TO STATE FINAL FOUR

KIRKWOOD -- Kelly High's softball team will make a return trip to the state's final four while Perryville just missed out on its first-ever final four berth.

In a pair of exciting quarterfinal games Monday night at the Kirkwood Athletic Association Complex, Kelly slipped past Linn 3-1 in Class 2A while Perryville suffered a heartbreaking 5-4, eight-inning loss to Lutheran South in Class 3A.

Kelly 3, Linn 1

Kelly was second in the state in 1996, won the state title in 1997 and was eliminated in last year's quarterfinals by Linn.

The Lady Hawks got a measure of revenge against Linn this time as they improved to 23-3 and will play in the 2A Final Four Friday and Saturday in Columbia.

Marissa Essner had another stellar pitching performance as she tossed a three-hitter, with four strikeouts and no walks. The only run Linn scored was unearned.

Kelly had five hits, led by Natalie Lewer with two. Lewer also put the finishing touch on the win with a diving catch in left field for the final out.

The Lady Hawks scored the only two runs they would need on Dana Essner's two-run double in the top of the fifth inning. Linn scored in the bottom of the fifth but Kelly tacked on an insurance run in the sixth.

Linn ends the season at 20-7.

Lutheran South 5, Perryville 4

Perryville very nearly pulled off a huge upset over Lutheran South and ace pitcher Jenny Rice, who is regarded as one of the state's top hurlers.

But the Lady Lancers scored twice in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings, then won it with a run in the eighth.

Lutheran South moves into the 3A Final four with a 25-4 record while Perryville, in the quarterfinals for the first time, ends at 15-15.

"It's a tough loss, but they hit the ball to tie it and win it, so you have to give them credit," said Perryville coach Lynn O'Neal.

Trailing 2-0, the Lady Pirates exploded with a four-run fourth inning, getting five of their six hits in the frame. Rachel Verseman and Amanda Schumer had RBI singles while Samantha Rehkop ripped a two-run double.

"We hit the ball real well," said O'Neal. "We scored four earned runs off a pitcher (Rice) who had an 0.25 earned-run average. I couldn't ask any more out of the kids."

Megan Narrow, who had hurled three straight shutouts, took the loss. She went the distance and allowed 10 hits.

While disappointed with the near upset, O'Neal said he couldn't be more proud of his players.

"It's a great group of kids," he said. "We have a lot of starters coming back and hopefully we can get back here again."