Kennett softball becomes ‘a totally different team’ this season

The historically successful Kennett softball team had more than a few cards stacked against them after losing five seniors on the team before the start of this spring’s season, four of which were All-State athletes. With no senior experience on the team this season, it was up to a hearty group of young players to pick up the reigns quickly.

“At the beginning of the year we were kind of skeptical,” Kennett softball coach Logan Dollins said. “From the beginning to the end of the season we became a totally different team. We went from 0-3 to figuring out how to win tough ballgames. We didn’t hit our goal, but I’m excited about the future of what this bunch has.”

On the backs of seven sophomores and five freshmen Kennett attempted to continue the success of years prior – namely, eight consecutive district championships and back-to-back third place win in the state tournament.

“I don’t like to use the term ‘rebuilding’ because I’m a competitor,” Dollins said. “I want to compete with whatever you have, but I guess when you lose five seniors, four of which were All-Staters, most people are going to call it a rebuilding.”

“As far as I’m concerned, we’re just going to take it day by day and try to figure out a way to get better,” he continued. “That’s what we did, and a lot of our younger girls stepped up to the plate. We just didn’t put one together at the end of the year.”

The Indians found a way to finish the season with a 23-9 record. The team dropped only one home game and one away game, the rest coming from neutral site contests. They averaged 9.7 runs per game while holding their opponents to 4.8.

However, after falling to Portageville in the Class 2 District 1 tournament semifinals, Kennett’s championship streak was broken.

“You have to be perfect,” Dollins said, “and we just weren’t perfect at the end.”

While the Indians didn’t meet their end goal, many young players had breakout seasons that earned a name for themselves for years to come.

Kennett sophomore Emma Tinnin rounds the bases as her teammates rush to greet her at home plate after hitting a home run in a game against Senath-Hornersville earlier this spring season.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

“Handley McAtee, Emma Tinnin and Hadley Wilson were named First Team All-District,” Dollins said. “They all have great work ethics, and a lot of people don’t know what kind of work they’re putting in behind closed doors. They show up, they put in the work and they’re team leaders. I trust all of them, and for them to get that honor is well-deserved.”

While Wilson, a junior, was a cornerstone last year as well, McAtee and Tinnin are both sophomores and made immediate impacts in the circle and behind the plate, respectively.

Two freshmen performed similarly: Kynsly McCaig and Bailee Wilcut, both of whom earned Second Team All-District honors in their first high school seasons.

“A lot of people don’t realize that neither of them have played for over two years,” Dollins said, “so for them to come and do what they did as freshmen, it’s all we could’ve asked of them. I’m super proud of both of them.”

Luckily for the competitiveness of the team, Dollins expects to see another large group of freshmen join the ranks next season.

“We’re bringing everybody back,” Dollins said. “But looking at our middle school bunch, we have four or five girls who might have a shot to see varsity time if they come out and compete. When it comes down to it, you have to come out and perform when you’re a part of a program like we have. If you don’t, there’s someone right behind you who will take that opportunity.”

Until next year, Dollins explained that the team will continue to work on developing players, honing in on basic situational softball IQ.

“We pride ourselves on our work ethic,” he said. “We want to stay longer than everyone else in our district and take more reps than anyone else in the state. Our goal was to win a district championship, and we fell a little bit short, but I felt like we had a great season.”