KELLY TO DEFEND CLASS 2A DISTRICT BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Last season, the Kelly Hawks came out of nowhere to claim the Class 2A, District 2 baseball tournament and advance to the state final four.

That same scenario could happen again this year with any number of teams in what looks to be the most evenly-matched district field in the area.

Notre Dame (12-8) went undefeated against district opponents this season to earn the top seed for the tourney which begins Monday in Chaffee. With only seven teams in the district, the top seed earns Notre Dame an important bye to the semifinal round.

"We feel like we have a good opportunity to do well," said Notre Dame coach Gregg Muench. "We have the first-round bye and Ryan (LeGrand) and Brian (Obermann) ready to pitch."

The Bulldogs might have two of their aces ready to go, but another key starter -- Keith Hamm -- is getting therapy on his shoulder and his availability is questionable entering the tourney. Notre Dame also lost its final three games to close the season, opening the door to several other teams.

"Several teams have very good chance of winning this district," Muench said.

Kelly (17-4) enters with the second seed after upsetting Notre Dame in the district title game last year as the third seed. The Hawks return several key players from that team which won the third-place game at Columbia.

Denver Stuckey (5-1) and Jim Hulshof (4-0) have done most of the pitching while Jason Glastetter leads the Hawks with a .397 batting average.

"We won't sneak up on anybody this year," said Kelly coach Mike Scott, who's team enters on a five-game win streak. "We played pretty well this week and we're starting to feel better. We're looking forward to it."

Tournament host Chaffee (14-7) has also been on a roll after starting the season 0-3. The Red Devils enter with the third seed, have an undefeated pitcher in Tommy Stidham (7-0) and are hoping to gain an edge on their home field.

"This district is wide open," said Chaffee coach Bruce Qualls. "Any of the top four teams have a good shot at it. We just hope we're in it to the20end."

Rounding out the field, in order of seeds are, East Prairie, Scott City, St. Vincent (10-13) and Woodland. Only Woodland appears to not have a shot at the district crown.

No. 4 East Prairie and No. 5 Scott City start first-round action Monday at 1 p.m. Kelly and Woodland follow at 3 p.m., with Chaffee and St. Vincent ending the day with a game at 5 p.m.

Notre Dame plays the winner of East Prairie-Scott City in the first of Tuesday's semifinals at 3 p.m. The other semifinal is slated for 5 p.m.

The championship game is scheduled for Thursday at 4 p.m.

Class 1A, District 2

State-ranked Oran will play host and once again carry the top seed into this district starting Monday.

The Eagles, ranked third in the 1A coaches poll, will get things warmed up at 10 a.m. against ninth-seed Scott County Central. The Braves, who lost to Oran 24-1 earlier in the season, got a forfeit win over No. 8 Richland.

"Oran is definitely the team to beat," said Oak Ridge coach Chris Winkler.

Dustin Dannenmueller and Justin McAllister lead the Eagles in both the hitting and pitching departments. Dannenmueller's batting .407 with a 3-1 pitching record. McAllister is doing even better with a .433 batting mark and 6-0 log on the mound.

Billy Loper (.390) and Jeremy Pobst (.397) are also threats at the plate and Dustin Glastetter brings a 5-2 pitching mark to the mound.

Last year, Oran had its string of three consecutive district titles snapped in the title game by second-seed Valle of Ste. Genevieve. Despite starting the season ranked third in 1A, the Warriors got off to a rough start and will take the fourth seed into this year's tournament.

"Valle might catch some teams by surprise," Winkler said. "They play bigger schools (in the Mineral Area Athletic Association) and are better than their record."

Advance, the only other team with a winning record, earned the second seed followed by No. 3 Oak Ridge (7-9).

Valle plays fifth-seed Delta at 4 p.m. in the final first-round game Monday. Oak Ridge meets sixth seed Bell City at noon and Advance will face No. 7 Leopold at 2 p.m.

Semifinals are set for Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 and 4:30 with the championship game scheduled for Thursday at 4:30 p.m.