KELLY GIRLS FALL IN 2A SEMIFINALS

COLUMBIA -- Kelly High's softball team saw its hopes of a second state title in three years end here Friday when the Lady Hawks lost to Russellville 7-3 in eight innings in the Class 2A semifinals.

Russellville kept its perfect season going as the Lady Indians improved to 25-0 heading into today's championship game against Westran (19-7), a 10-0 winner over Mid-Buchanan in Friday's other semifinal.

Kelly, which fell to 23-4, and Mid-Buchanan (21-5) will square off at noon today for third place.

The Lady Indians jumped ahead of Kelly 3-0 in the top of the first inning, but the Lady Hawks tied things with three runs in the bottom of the fourth. It remained 3-3 until Russellville pushed across four runs in the eighth.

Kelly finished with five hits, two by Natalie Lewer.

Marissa Essner was the losing pitcher. She worked all eight innings, allowing seven hits and four earned runs while striking out six and walking four.

Russellville ace Kristin Buschman pitched seven innings but did not figure into the decision. Buschman allowed five hits and two earned runs, with four strikeouts and two walks.