Kelly completes comeback with Dannenmueller’s clutch hit

BENTON, Mo. — When it comes to comebacks, the Kelly softball team has proven time and again that it has a knack for rewriting the storylines of games and Thursday’s 3-2 comeback win over Doniphan served as yet another extraordinary charter in the Lady Hawks’ (6-4) campaign of thrilling turnarounds and memorable victories.

“Overall I was proud of the girls for not giving up when we were down,” said Kelly coach Melanie Heuring. “They showed some fight and determination to do what it took to get the win even though it wasn’t one of our better-hitting performances.”

Doniphan gained a 1-0 lead after a pop fly to right field by Dalila Watson that scored Paige Wilson in the fourth inning. The Donettes (1-6) extended the lead to 2-0 on a double by Makenna Kirby who scored Kensey Davis in the fifth inning.

In a captivating display of resilience, the Lady Hawks engineered a remarkable comeback in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Kelly narrowed the lead to 2-1 when Miley Estes singled to score Avree Riley. The game was tied 2-2 as Macy Burger raced home on a Kayleigh Holman sacrifice bunt.

With tension mounting, Katelyn Dannenmueller delivered the game-winning single, scoring Estes and securing the victory.

“Dannenmueller came through with the clutch hit,” Heuring said. “It was huge, and I was so happy for her after being out all season her junior year. She did a good job reading their defense and pulling the ball to the right side to score the winning run. The dugout was so loud cheering for her.”

Dannenmueller and Ava LaGrand were the Lady Hawks’ top performers at the plate, each registering two hits.

Mallory Lemonds earned the complete-game win after allowing two earned runs on three hits with three strikeouts and four walked batters.

Kylie Hawkins took the loss, surrendering one earned run on seven hits with one strikeout.

Kelly hosts Naylor (0-4) on Friday, September 8 and Perryville (1-8) on Monday, September 9.

Doniphan hosts East Carter (5-1) on Tuesday, September 12.