Lady Indians skunk Lady Bearcats, advance in C2D1 tourney

MALDEN, Mo. - The Kennett Lady Indians played strong softball Saturday and blanked the Dexter Lady Bearcats 15-0 to advance to the C2D1 semifinal round at Malden.

A scrappy Lady Bearcats squad played two games Saturday after a Friday rain out. The team defeated the Charleston Bluejays 9-3 before losing to the hard-hitting Lady Indians in four innings.

Kennett starting pitcher Handley McAtee's performance, like her teammates at the plate, was nothing short of amazing.

Dexter Lady Bearcats starting pitcher Amelia Jenkins in the circle Saturday at Malden. Photo by Steve Hankins

McAtee struck out 10, gave up just one run on zero hits and walked only one batter Saturday during her time in the circle.

And she went three-for four at the plate. McAtee doubled on a scorcher to left in the first, and singled in the second and fourth innings.

McAtee took out Dexter batters in the top of the first one, two, three before grabbing a bat in the bottom of the inning and aiming for the cheap seats, blasting one to left.

Kennett Lady Indians Pitcher Handley McAtee takes aim against a Dexter Lady Bearcats batter Saturday at the C2D1 Tournament at Malden.Photo by Steve Hankins

Kennett's Avery Payne was first to draw blood on a hot grounder to center field, took second base on a Bearcats error and scored two runs in the process.

McAtee's sole walk came in the top of the second when Isabella Pittman took first. That's as far as she advanced when McAtee struck out the next three batters.

Bottom of the second and Kennett's Emma Claire Bodkin doubled then scored on a wild pitch to Olivia Raspberry. McAtee flew out to center and was followed by Barton, who singled on a shot to short and scored Raspberry, which brought he score to 4-0 Kennett.

Lady Indians hurler Handley McAtee lays in a sweet pitch against a Dexter Lady Bearcats batter Saturday at Malden.Photo by Steve Hankins

Leading 190-plus RBI machine and school record-holder Hadley Wilson knocked a beauty to center and wound up on second behind a Lady Bearcats error that also scored Wallace and Barton. Kennett 6 Dexter 0.

Payne took one for the Lady Indians before Kynsly McCaig singled on a nice fly to center and scored Wilson for an RBI. McCaig stole second and Payne crossed the plate on a wild pitch. One more wild one later found McCaig crossing home and Kennett extended the lead to 9-0.

With two on base, McAtee singled on a grounder to third and knocked in both runners. Lady Indians 11, Lady Bearcats 0.

Kennett Lady Indian and school RBI champ Hadley Wilson eyes the bat Saturday at the C2D1 Tournament at Malden. Phot by Steve Hankins

Barton flew out and Wallace scored on a passed ball and Kennett was up 12-0.

McAtee retired the side in order and Lady Bearcats pitcher Amelia Jenkins hit the next three Lady Indians to load the bases.The Tribe extended its lead to 13-0 when Tinnin scored on a Bodkin sacrifice to left.

Lady Bearcats' Pittman singled on a fly to center and McAtee downed the rest in order, leaving Pittman on base.

Kennett's Hadley Wilson prepares to bat Saturday at Malden.Photo by Steve Hankins

Kennett capped the Lady Bearcats on a McAtee single.

Jenkins walked Barton before Wilson crushed a screaming line-drive to left and brought in both McAtee and Barton to end the game 15-0.

Dexter head coach Christina Jenkins, in her debut season leading the team, said her young team played hard in both games Saturday.

Kennett's Hadley Wilson swings for the cheap seats Saturday at Malden.Photo by Steve Hankins

“Our pitcher is out only senior,” Jenkins said. “She's committed to Missouri State University at West Plains.

“Our first game today against Charleston wasn't our best game,” she added. “But we came out on the right side of it.

“Our pitcher threw a lot more than she should have in that game because of errors. That hurt us in the second game today against Kennett, for sure. On a muggy day like today, you really have only so much juice left.”

Kennett Lady Indian Emma Tinnin at the plate Saturday at Malden.Photo by Steve Hankins

Lady Indians head coach Logan Dollins said the team's defense Saturday was on point.

“I thought Handley (McAtee) came out and threw a really good game,” he said. “She commanded the strike zone in a big way.

“Offensively I thought we put together some good at bats,” he added. “We'll be working on hitting, and really finding the barrel before the semifinal game Monday.”

Dexter Lady Bearcat Ava Schaefer in the box Saturday at Malden.Photo by Steve Hankins

The Lady Indians (21-8) face the Malden Lady Green Wave (14-16), who edged by the Senath-Hornersville Lady Lions (12-8-1) 5-4, at 4 p.m. at Malden Monday.