Kelly’s pitching parade puts Twin Rivers in a daze

BENTON, Mo. — The Kelly baseball team took another step towards greatness with a 5-2 win over Twin Rivers on Thursday, May 4 at Kelly High School.

The Hawks’ (16-7) impressive pitching staff recorded their 240th strikeouts of the season during the victory, which is the 20th most all-time in all classifications of Missouri high school baseball.

“It means we have a bunch of hard-working kids that are bought into a system,” said Kelly coach Josh Hopkins. “The kids are having fun and playing for one another. Our fans are excited to watch our pitching staff force opponents to do things they don't want to do offensively.”

Kelly's Drew Klipfel (2) throws a pitch during a 5-2 win over Twin Rivers at Kelly High School on Thursday, May 4, 2023. (Rod Anderson/Standard-Democrat)

“Our pitching staff allows us to be more aggressive offensively because we aren't worried about having to score a bunch just to be in a position to win a ballgame,” he continued. “It sure makes ballgames fun.”

Kelly gained a 3-0 advantage after Drew Klipfel scored on a bases-loaded walk, Nicholas Christian singled to score Mason Eubanks and Reece Eftink scored on another bases-loaded walk.

The Hawks increased the lead to 5-0 after Eftink scored on a wild pitch in the fifth inning and a single by Klipfel drove Ross Peters home in the sixth inning.

“We did a lot of really great things offensively,” Hopkins said.

Klipfel finished 3-for-4 with a RBI and a run, while Colten Essner went 2-for-2 with a RBI.

The Royals (12-12) tried to close the gap in the top of the seventh inning, plating two runs to narrow the lead to 5-2, but the teams were unable to overcome Kelly’s strong performance on the mound, ultimately falling short in their comeback attempt.

Klipfel earned the win on the mound after throwing 5.2 innings. He didn’t allow any runs on two hits with six strikeouts and three walks.

Essner secured the save after pitching the final 1.1 innings and allowing two earned runs on three hits with a walk.

Kelly will host Oran (12-4) on Friday, May 5 in a battle that determine the Scott-Mississippi Conference Championship.

The Hawks will round out their regular season at Jackson (14-6) on Monday, May 8, and at Dexter (9-12) on Tuesday, May 9.

__KELLY 5, TWIN RIVERS 2__

TR 000 000 2 — 2 5 0

Kelly 300 011 x — 5 8 0

W—Drew Klipfel. S—Colton Essner. L—Warren Thurman. 2B—Twin Rivers: Jake Hester, Bo Lilly.