Kennett advances to state quarterfinals with shutout win over Potosi

KENNETT — Having been lucky enough to start their championship campaign on their home turf, the Kennett baseball team held Potosi scoreless over seven innings to win 4-0 in the MSHSAA Class 4 State Sectionals on Tuesday, May 23.

As they prepare for the next round of the state tournament coming on Thursday, however, Kennett coach Aaron New made it clear that this is not a “celebration game.”

“There’s certain games you celebrate,” New explained. “You celebrate a district championship, then if you win the quarterfinals, you get to go to the final four. That’s a celebration game, then you can celebrate after you win the whole thing. Now, we just have to be ready in two days for the next round against a really good team.”

Kennett will play the winner of John Burroughs and Sullivan on Thursday, May 25. A location and start time has yet to be determined.

Junior pitcher Ashton Williams threw a complete, lights out game against the Trojans. He allowed only two hits and stuck out nine batters, throwing 95 pitches and 62 strikes.

Kennett junior pitcher Ashton Williams throws a pitch in the MSHSAA Class 4 State Sectional against Potosi in Kennett on Tuesday, May 23.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

While the Indians’ offense was enough to get the job done, the host’s defense kept Potosi at bay from the very start.

“I couldn’t ask for any more today on defense,” New said. “But, a lot of that is because Ashton Williams is about as good as I’ve ever seen him. If we get that from Ashton for the rest of the year, it’s going to be a good chance for a win anytime he pitches that stuff.”

Two full innings went by, during which time Williams threw four strikeouts, before the Indians managed their first run.

In the bottom of the third, John Poole hit a single and Tanner Pierce was walked to get started. Brooks Nigut stepped up to the plate and sacrificed a fly ball to center field to bring home Poole.

Kennett's JC Poole tracks the ball after a hit in a game against Potosi on Tuesday, May 23.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

“We’re looking for some more consistency on offense,” New said. “We’ve been a team that beats someone 18-0 in three innings, but we’ve also been a team that struggles some. Today, their pitcher did a really good job and we struggled.”

Another two complete, and scoreless, innings went by before the Indians broke out.

Peyton Branum doubled home Trey Gardner, who had been walked to start the inning, with a line drive to center. On the next at-bat, Kennett took advantage of a defensive miscue on the Trojans’ side as Ashton Williams hit a line drive to single home Caleb Duncan and Branum.

Nigut, Branum, Williams and Poole each contributed one of Kennett’s four hits. Gardner was walked three times and secured a run, and Duncan, Branum and Poole added the others.

Kennett's Peyton Branum runs to first base in a game against Potosi on Tuesday, May 23, 2023.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

“We made some adjustments late, and Peyton Branum and Ashton Williams really came through with some big hits there in the sixth,” New said. “JC Poole also had a nice swing in the third which led to a run.”

Potosi pitcher Blake Coleman pitched a complete game as well, but he allowed four hits, four walks and four earned runs while striking out five batters.