Kennett softball sweeps Caruthersville, Campbell at home

KENNETT – The Lady Indian softball team shut down Caruthersville and Campbell Monday at home. Kennett, now 13-4, won the two games in a combined seven innings at bat with a total 30-2 score across both games.

Junior Hadley Wilson pitched all five innings of the host's first game against Caruthersville. She threw 85 pitches and 51 strikes for ten strikeouts. She allowed four hits, two walked batters and the two runs scored against the Indians for the day.

“Hadley threw the first game and was very efficient,” Kennett coach Logan Dollins said. “She threw some strikes, but they swung and made contact, and we just made plays behind her. She did exactly what we asked her to do which was to go out, pound the strike zone and pitch to contact.”

Emma Baldwin and Finley Strawn scored those runs for the Tigers after Hailey McCloud singled on a ground ball to third base which led into Kennett's only error of the game.

Meanwhile, Kennett racked up 11 hits, eight walked batters and crossed home 15 times in four innings. They started early, adding two runs in the first, three in the second, then exploded for eight runs in the third.

“What I've been so proud of is the back end of our lineup,” Dollins explained. “It's been extremely efficient, and we thought we may struggle a bit there before the season. For them to come up and continue to get on base, allowing the top of the lineup to drive them in, it's been very efficient.”

Freshman Baylee Wilcut led Kennett in scoring with three hits, three runs and two RBIs against Caruthersville. Lauren Barton, Handley McAtee and Emma Tinnin each scored two runs, while Kinsley McCaig, Emma Bodkin, Kaydee Taylor and Heather Jones all scored once.

Kennett freshman Baylee Wilcut runs back to second base after a pitch in the Indians' first game against Caruthersville Monday.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

“Baylee Wilcut has really produced as a freshman,” Dollins said. “She started out on the right side of the plate in the beginning of the season, but she asked if she could switch it up and slap it a little bit.”

Wilcut didn't connect with a single hit in Kennett's first five games of the season, but she has contributed seven in the last three games and has made herself a valuable addition to the Indian lineup.

“She looks like a total different ball player right now,” Dollins said. “I'm super proud of the work ethic she's been putting in.”

The Tigers tested three pitchers against Kennett, but Emma Baldwin took the loss after pitching the first 2.1 innings. She threw 80 pitches and 40 strikes but allowed nine hits, 13 runs and committed 10 errors.

While Kennett took a break, Caruthersville's next game against Campbell was much closer in competition, but they fell to the Camels 8-9.

In Kennett's late night game against Campbell to follow, the Indians didn't let the downtime affect them in their 15-0 shutout of the Camels.

Sophomore Handley McAtee took the circle for Kennett and allowed just two hits on 52 pitches. She threw 34 strikes for eight strikeouts with zero walks and zero errors against 11 batters over the three innings of the brief game.

Kennett's Meagan Spielman congratulates Handley McAtee on a strikeout during the Indians' game against Campbell Monday night.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

“McAtee came out and threw it extremely well,” Dollins said. “We swung the bats well. We sometimes struggle against slower pitching, so for us to have adjustments and let the ball travel and square it up consistently, I'm pleased with the win.”

Kennett scored five runs in each of their three innings at bat. Hadley Wilson, Emma Tinnin and Meagan Spielman all scored three runs each, Handley McAtee and Emma Bodkin scored two each, and Kaydee Taylor added another.

“Hadley and Handley have swung it really well, but up and down the lineup we've just been producing,” Dollins said. “That's all you have ask for out of the team.”

McAtee might be better known for her pitching, but she is another player continually making adjustments on offense. The righty has recently been switch hitting, depending on the pitching, and still contributing all the same.

“She's just a machine,” Dollins said of McAtee.

“I give her free will,” he explained. “I trust her. She's a leader on the team, and if she says she needs to hit left-handed or she wants to hit right-handed then I let her. A lot of people don't see what she puts in behind the scenes, but her work ethic is amazing and I'm proud to be able to coach her.”

Campbell freshman Kaitlyn Weidenbenner took the loss in throwing 61 pitches and 32 strikes for zero strikeouts. She allowed three walked batters, 11 hits and 14 runs.

Next, Kennett hosts Doniphan Thursday and plays Greene County Tech at Poplar Bluff Friday. They play East Carter and Ste. Genevieve at Ellsinore Saturday.

Campbell takes on Delta C-7 at home Tuesday and hosts Senath-Hornersville Thursday.