Lady Indians end Doniphan’s undefeated streak

KENNETT – The Kennett Lady Indians (14-4) held off Doniphan to win 5-4 at home, ending the Donettes’ undefeated 11-win streak Thursday.

“Doniphan is a very scrappy, talented bunch,” Kennett coach Logan Dollins said. “They play every aspect of the game at a high level. We started off kind of slow. The swings were okay, but we couldn’t find the barrels, especially early. I thought their pitcher did a great job and threw a good change up that kept us off balance.”

Beginning with a fierce stalemate to start the matchup, Kennett scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth as Hadley Wilson made it home after Kaydee Taylor singled on a fly ball to right field.

The Indians put up four more runs in the bottom of the fifth after Handley McAtee, Hadley Wilson, Emma Tinnin and Emma Bodkin all scored.

“Eventually we got to them mid-game and had some decent base-running situations to get going,” Dollins said. “We kind of got contagious and had a few hits here and there, then got up 5-0 on them.”

McAtee led Kennett in the circle and pitched a complete game. She threw 117 pitches and 78 strikes for nine strikeouts. McAtee allowed nine hits, a single walked batter and four runs while committing just one error.

Kennett�s Handley McAtee throws a pitch against Doniphan Thursday, April 13, 2023. Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

“McAtee threw it extremely well, and Lauren Barton and Emma Tinnin swung it well,” Dollins said. “Overall, I’m just pleased with the whole bunch.”

While a battle of defense waged on, Doniphan rebounded in the top of the sixth to make it a tight ballgame going into the final inning.

Gracen Kirby knocked out a two-run homer that also brought in Micha Burton. With a switch in momentum and morale, Paige Wilson singled on a ground ball that brought Kiernyn Bond and Peyton Lowery home.

The Donettes quickly got the three outs needed to return to the plate and tie the game.

McAtee fired off two rapid strikeouts. Doniphan’s Kylie Hawkins hammered a fly ball to right field and made it to third base on an error. Finally, Kaydyn Bond stepped up to bring her home and tie the ballgame.

McAtee threw two strikes with two outs, Bond connected with the ball and drove it right into McAtee’s glove in the circle, who made the play to first and ended the game.

“What I’m proud of is our ability to find a way to win the ballgame when the momentum switched to their side,” Dollins said. “We didn’t cower down and we continued to play.”

“From McAtee’s standpoint, she’s a bulldog in the circle,” he continued. “Once we got two strikes we had that opportunity to strike her out, she did exactly what she needed to do. We made the fundamental plays today, and that’s something we have to continue to do.”

Doniphan's Kylie Hawkins throws a pitch against Kennett Thursday, April 13, 2023.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

Kylie Hawkins took the loss for Doniphan in the circle. She also pitched a complete game, throwing 89 pitches and 56 strikes for four strikeouts and four walked batters. She allowed ten hits and five runs with five errors.

Next, Kennett travels to East Carter Saturday to take on the hosts at 11 a.m., as well as Ste. Genevieve at 1 p.m.