Kelly competes at Jackson Tournament

The Kelly softball team continues to build to its impressive season with four wins in the past five games.

The Lady Hawks (14-5) won 8-3 over Jefferson (3-5) on Monday, September 18.

Macy Burger earned the win on the mound, throwing seven innings and allowing no earned runs on seven hits with eight strikeouts.

“Macy Burger pitched a gem yesterday,” said Kelly coach Melanie Heuring. “Gwen Essner had a productive day at the plate with three hits, including a double, scoring twice, and a stolen base. Blaire Riley was 2-for-4 with a double, and we made some good defensive plays despite giving up three unearned runs. Overall we had nine hits and left five runners on base. We did well getting our bunts down and moving runners that way.”

Kelly also competed in the Jackson Tournament this past weekend.

The team started the tournament out with an 11-8 win over Lutheran North (11-8).

“Allie Daniel had a big day at the plate going 3-for-4,” Heuring said. “[Burger] gave up eight earned runs in that game in the first three innings, but Mallory Lemonds did a good job to come in the last three innings and shut them down not giving up a run. They outhit us but we did well putting the ball in play and moving runners when we needed it.”

The Lady Hawks then fell 8-5 to Festus (9-9), snapping an 11-game winning streak.

“We had a great first inning hitting the ball and scoring four runs,” Heuring said. “But after that, she settled in and we couldn’t do much at the plate. [Daniel] was 2-for-3 at the plate. Festus has a good team, and they shut us down after the third inning.”

Kelly concluded the tournament with an 11-2 win over Poplar Bluff (5-8) and a 22-1 victory over Cape Central (2-15).

“[Burger] threw well [against Poplar Bluff], only allowing one earned run and six hits in five innings,” Heuring said. “Ava LeGrand was strong at the plate, going 5-for-5. [Daniel] went 2-for-3 and Miley Estes came in for two innings of relief for [Burger] and only gave up two hits and one earned run.

“Against Cape Central, Lemonds pitched two innings and gave up two hits,” she continued. “Kayleigh Holman threw the third and only allowed one hit. Their run was unearned. [Daniel] went 2-for-2 and had a great weekend at the plate. She came threw for us with some big hits. [Burger] also was 2 for 2 at the plate.”

Kelly will host Twin Rivers (4-5) on Tuesday, September 19.