Kelly survives late rally from NMCC

BENTON, Mo. — There were plenty of fireworks in Kelly’s win over New Madrid County Central on Thursday, April 6.

The Hawks (8-2) won 7-6 after holding off a late rally by the Eagles (4-3) at Kelly High School.

“We have a great bunch of kids that love the game and love seeing each other succeed,” said Kelly coach Josh Hopkins. “When we face adversity, they do a great job of relying on each other to get out of tough spots.”

Kelly took an early 3-0 advantage after Dalton Forck doubled on a fly ball to center field that scored Mason Eubanks and Michael Dollins, and Forck scored on an error.

Brady Swims hit a three-run home run in the top of the third inning to tie it 3-3, but Reece Eftink responded with a grand slam in the bottom of the fourth inning to put the Hawks back on top 7-3.

NMCC narrowed the lead to 7-5 after Swims blasted his second home run of the game over the left field wall in the top of the fifth inning.

Ayden McCanless scored the Eagles' final run in the top of the seventh inning after Chris Grissom was hit by a pitch.

However, the next batter popped up for the final out of the game.

Drew Klipfel earned the win on the mound after throwing five innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits with 11 strikeouts and two walks.

Nicholas Christian pitched the final two innings for Kelly. He allowed one earned run on four hits with three strikeouts and one walked batter.

Clay Cope took the loss after four innings. He allowed seven earned runs on four hits with five strikeouts and seven walked batters.

John Harris pitched the final two innings for NMCC. He didn’t surrender any runs on one hit with three strikeouts and two walked batters.

“New Madrid is a good ball club that will be tough to handle at the end of the year,” Hopkins concluded. “Our guys did a great job of fighting and putting themselves in a position to win.”

Kelly hosts Poplar Bluff (5-6) on Saturday, April 8, and travels to Bell City (4-4) on Monday, April 10.

NMCC hosts Notre Dame (2-2) on Monday, April 10, and East Prairie (3-6) on Tuesday, April 11.

__KELLY 7, NEW MADRID COUNTY CENTRAL 6__

NMCC 003 020 1 — 6 8 1

Kelly 300 400 x — 7 5 2

W—Drew Klipfel. L—Clay Cope. 2B—Kelly: Jett Hull, Dalton Forck. HR—Kelly: Reece Eftink; NMCC: Brady Swims (2).