Kelly bats meet challenge

Kelly coach Rhonda Ratledge was interested to see how her offense would hit against Central ace Amanda Nichols, a pitcher who Ratledge considers one of the top local throwers.

She wanted her lineup to show it has the ability to hit strong pitching with districts approaching after her team struck out nine times against Nichols last week.

The Hawks, who finished third in Class 2 last fall and return all but one player from that team, have three weeks left until district play begins.

"This is the type of pitching we'll see in our district and beyond," Ratledge said. "If we don't start hitting here and hitting her and start focusing more, we may be done earlier than what we want."

Kelly batters pounded out nine hits, including four doubles, against Nichols. They also took advantage of five Central errors to win 9-6 at Central on Wednesday.

Sophomore Haley Glastetter, batting third in the lineup, went 2-for-3, including the game-winning single to right field with one out in the top of the sixth inning.

Kelly improved to 10-1, while Central dropped to 6-7.

CHUCK WU ~ cwu@semissourian.com Kelly baserunner Brittany Brantley makes it safely to second base as Central's Lexi Smith fields the throw during Wednesday's game at Central.

Kelly was cruising early. The Hawks built a 6-0 lead after scoring two runs in the first inning and four runs in the fifth inning.

Meanwhile, Hawks starting pitcher Danielle Dock, who transferred to Kelly from Notre Dame last season, allowed just two Central baserunners in the first four innings.

But Dock lost control in the fifth inning. She walked five batters, allowed one hit and threw a wild pitch to score a run.

Dock was relieved by Jessica Riley with two outs and her team leading 6-3.

Central pitcher Amanda Nichols delivers a pitch against Kelly during Wednesday's game at Central.

Riley, who inherited the bases loaded, served up a three-run double to the first batter she faced, Nikki Graham, to knot the game at 6-6.

"We're definitely shocked since we were up by six," Kelly senior Heather Beggs said. "But we had confidence."

Kelly's shock lasted a brief time. Riley was able to get out of the fifth without any more damage. The Hawks offense jumped back into the lead with three runs in the sixth.

Glastetter stepped to the plate with Londyn Backfisch at third base and Katee Moore at second.

Kelly relief pitcher Heather Beggs delivers a pitch during Wednesday's game

"I was just telling myself to get a hit and to help the team out," Glastetter said. "I just wanted to get ahead of Central and beat them again."

The sophomore singled to right to score Backfisch. Moore also sprinted home on the play and was safe when the throw to the plate went past Central catcher Taylre Scott.

Scott hustled to the backstop and retrieved the ball as Glastetter headed to third. Scott's throw to third sailed wide and Glastetter scored to make it 9-6.

Ratledge said Glastetter is a spark to the offense. Glastetter batted ninth as a freshman, but has moved up six spots this year, replacing Sarah Ruff as the No. 3 hitter. Ruff was the only player to graduate off last year's roster.

"Last year, as a freshman, I had her [Glastetter] batting ninth because she was a good hitter and a good little bunter," Ratledge said. "So I had her in that ninth spot because I had Sarah Ruff filling in that third spot. This year I struggled finding that third batter. I kept moving girls around to find a third batter who could hold her own there and be consistent. And Haley was being consistent in that No. 9 spot. So I thought 'Hey, let's move her and let Heather [Beggs] bring up the bottom with bunts and stuff.'"

Ratledge said that having Glastetter bat third is working well so far for Kelly.

"She plays varsity ball really well," Ratledge said. "If I need her to bunt, she can bunt. If I need her to slap it, she can slap it. And she puts the ball in play in the gaps."

Beggs replaced Riley on the mound and threw two scoreless innings for the save.

"I always make sure I'm prepared and ready to go at the beginning of the game because you never know if you need to go in," Beggs said.

Riley improved to 2-0 on the mound. She has pitched mostly in relief this year as Beggs (4-0) and Dock (4-1) have been the main starters.

"She was cruising along so easy," Ratledge said of Dock's performance. "She hadn't thrown very many pitches. She just lost it and couldn't find her focus. She got rattled. ... I know she was upset, but sometimes it takes those games to learn to get your mind set and focused."

Central coach Amy Blattel said her team needs to stop hurting itself with errors.

"I just think the entire game was ugly on both teams' parts," Blattel said. "I think coach Ratledge would agree with that. We just have to play defense. To put 10 runs across the board to win a softball game, that's rarely going to occur."

Kelly 200 043 0 -- 9 9 0

Central 000 006 0 -- 6 5 5

WP -- Jessica Riley 2-0. LP -- Amanda Nichols, 6-6. S -- Heather Beggs. 2B -- Brittany Brantley (K), Casey Kern (K), Londyn Backfisch (K), Danielle Dock, Nikki Graham (C). Multiple hits -- Kelly: Katee Moore 2-3, Haley Glastetter 2-3, Brantley 2-4. Central: Records -- Central 6-7, Kelly 10-1.