KELLY PLACES 3RD AT STATE

Kelly High School recovered from its semifinal loss at the Missouri Class 2A Softball Championships to defeat Mid-Buchanan 4-1 Saturday in the third-place game.

Kelly, which fell to Russelville on Friday, scored the game's final four runs as it finished its season at 24-4. Mid Buchanan closed its campaign at 21-6.

Marissa Essner struck out 10 as she picked up the win with a compete game five-hitter. She walked just three.

Seven different Lady Hawks had singles as Kelly finished with seven hits.

Mid-Buchanan took a 1-0 lead into the top of the fifth inning but Kelly rallied for three runs off losing pitcher Brynn Jones. The Lady Hawks upped the lead to 4-1 with a run in the seventh.