KELLY TAKES UNDERDOG ACT INTO STATE SEMIS

A couple of first-timers will start off the Class 2A baseball semifinals today at 11 a.m. on Simmons Field in Columbia.

Kelly's Hawks and St. Mary's Trojans from Independence will both be making their first ever baseball appearances in the state Final Four. Both have won five in row with Kelly sporting a 15-9 mark. St. Mary's is 19-8.

The Hawks, who's last three wins have been over teams with at least 19 victories, will once again be looked at as the underdog going up against the Trojans. With one-run wins over favorites Notre Dame (22-4), South Pemiscot (21-6) and two-time defending 2A champion Mansfield (19-4), the Hawks feel they've more than earned their way to the semifinal.

"We've been playing the underdog role, but you don't beat the teams we've beaten without being a good baseball team," said Kelly coach Mike Scott. "We do have a good team. It's no fluke that we're here."

St. Mary's coach Steve Shackelford admitted he doesn't know much about the Hawks, but the win over Mansfield proved a lot to him.

"They beat Mansfield, who won the state title the last two years, so we're going to be facing an outstanding ball club," Shackelford said. "We have a lot of respect for all the teams left."

Denver Stuckey, a senior and the Hawks' top winner with a 6-3 mark, will take the hill against St. Mary's junior Luke Jonas (3-1, 1.47 ERA).

Pitching appears to be the strength of the Trojans, who have a 1.71 team earned run average. Junior Devon Ferrara (8-3, 2.22 ERA) got the most work on the hill this season, but Jonas and Josh Lee (4-1, 1.27) are also strong on the mound.

"All three are quality starters," said Shackelford. "For the first game, we'll probably go with Jonas."

St. Mary's, with a .298 team batting average, has two powerful batters Kelly will have to be aware of. Third-place batter Joe Barbosa (.422) and clean-up man Brian Monaco (.471) will be dangerous bats to pitch around in the middle of the order.

Barbosa, just a sophomore, plays several positions in the infield and leads the Trojans with 32 RBIs and 29 runs scored. Monaco, a senior catcher, has hit a team-high eight home runs and has 27 RBIs.

Lee (.380) and leadoff batter Jonas (.324) will also be tough outs.

Besides being the top pitcher, Stuckey has also been the best batter on the Hawks' roster. Stuckey, who has slumped at the plate in the past two games, still leads Kelly with a .440 batting average, three home runs and 24 RBIs.

Kelly's other top batter, third baseman John Livingston (.373), went hitless in the win over Mansfield. Scott has been happy to see some new faces lead the Hawks to victory.

"It shows we're not a one-person or two-person team," Scott said. "We've had other kids step up in key situations and perform for us."

Scott mentioned Jason Glastetter, Jim Hulshof, Brandon Pattengill, Justin Vetter and freshman Bradley Kolwyck as players who have stepped up their play lately.

"It's been a different kid every game," said Scott. "But it would certainly be nice to get those guys (Stuckey and Livingston) going into state and the other (players) just follow along."

Playing the role of underdog, the Hawks have played a relaxed brand of baseball that is rarely seen during the pressure-packed innings of state tournament action.

"We're real relaxed and loose and I think that's been the key," said Scott. "Right now we believe we should win, even if we get down a few runs, we're still believing we can win the ball game."

St. Mary's faced a tough regular-season schedule that has made them ready for the 2A championship drive.

"Over half of our schedule is against 3A and 4A schools, so we take our lumps every once in a while," said Shackelford. "I just stress basic fundamental baseball. We try to play good solid baseball and then we take our chances from there."

In the other 2A semifinal, John Burroughs (13-9) and Springfield Catholic (20-8) will follow the Hawks and Trojans at 1:30 p.m. The winners play Thursday for the 2A championship at 5 p.m. Semifinal losers play at 11 a.m. for third place.

Class 2A semifinal

Kelly Hawks vs. St. Mary's Trojans

Where: Simmons Field in Columbia

Time: 11 a.m.

Radio: KAPE-1550

Records: Kelly 15-9, St. Mary's 19-8

Starting Pitchers: Kelly -- Denver Stuckey (6-3, 3.33 ERA); St. Mary's -- Luke Jonas (3-1, 1.47 ERA)

Players To Watch: Kelly -- Denver Stuckey, SS-P (.440, 3 HR, 24 RBIs), John Livingston, 3B (.373), Ben Klipfel, 2B (.350), Jason Glastetter, (3 HR, 19 RBIs); St. Mary's -- Brian Monaco, C (.471, 8 HR, 27 RBIs), Joe Barbosa, 1B-SS (.422, 32 RBIs)