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SportsApril 26, 2024

HOLCOMB, Mo. - A steady rain fell here Thursday afternoon, and with it came the Kennett Lady Indians softball team (19-6) who poured run after run on the Lady Hornets (21-2) and defeated the squad 22-6 in four innings. Kennett's W on the Lady Hornets home turf came on the heels of a successful Tuesday, which found the Lady Indians taking out both Portageville's Lady Bulldogs (15-8) 8-7 and Malden's Lady Green Wave (10-16) 16-1 to win the Bootheel Conference Tournament Championship at Malden...

Kennett Lady Indians gather at the plate Thursday to celebrate pitcher Handley McAtee's grand slam home run.
Kennett Lady Indians gather at the plate Thursday to celebrate pitcher Handley McAtee's grand slam home run. Photo by Steve Hankins

HOLCOMB, Mo. - A steady rain fell here Thursday afternoon, and with it came the Kennett Lady Indians softball team (19-6) which poured run after run on the Lady Hornets (21-2) and defeated the squad 22-6 in four innings.

Kennett's W on the Lady Hornets home turf came on the heels of a successful Tuesday, which found the Lady Indians taking out both Portageville's Lady Bulldogs (15-8) 8-7 and Malden's Lady Green Wave (10-16) 16-1 to win the Bootheel Conference Tournament Championship at Malden.

Kennett Lady Indians win the Bootheel Conference Tournament at Malden.
Kennett Lady Indians win the Bootheel Conference Tournament at Malden.Photo provided

The days prior were just as successful for the Lady Hornets, who smacked down the Delta C-7 (Deering) Chargers (4-7) 28-1 and the Risco Lady Tigers (10-6-1) 17-6 to win the Tri-County Conference Tournament Championship at Clarkton.

Still friends after Holcomb wins the Tri-County Tournament Championship at Clarkton.
Still friends after Holcomb wins the Tri-County Tournament Championship at Clarkton.Photo by Steve Hankins

Kennett's Handley McAtee went three-for-four Tuesday. The Lady Indian pitcher was responsible for a home run and knocking in four RBIs to lead the Lady Indians past Malden, toward the team's title and five-game winning streak.

Kennett Lady Indians pitcher Handley McAtee loads up Thursday at Holcomb.
Kennett Lady Indians pitcher Handley McAtee loads up Thursday at Holcomb.Photo by Steve Hankins

McAtee was even more deadly at Holcomb. She not only pitched a fine game, but went four-for-four at the plate and blistered a grand-slam home-run ball across the left-field fence against a dynamite Lady Hornets team that posted 10 Ws in a row.

Kennett softball head coach Logan Dollins heaped mountains of praise on the Lady Hornets head coach Matt Casper, the Lady Hornets and his squad.

Holcomb Lady Hornets pitcher Khloe Furlow in the circle Thursday at home.
Holcomb Lady Hornets pitcher Khloe Furlow in the circle Thursday at home.Photo by Steve Hankins

“Holcomb has a great program,” Dollins said. “That team is coached at a VERY high level.

“I thought (McAtee) came out and pitched it well,” he continued. “She commanded the strike zone against Holcomb, who has a VERY good lineup.”

McAtee Thursday was active in the circle all four innings, allowed six runs (two earned) on five hits, walked two and struck out four.

Kennett's Handley McAtee crosses home Thursday at Holcomb.
Kennett's Handley McAtee crosses home Thursday at Holcomb.Photo by Steve Hankins

McAtee at the plate scored three runs on four hits, posted six RBIs and one walk.

“Offensively, we did a great job of staying behind the ball up and down the lineup,” Dollins said. “(McAtee) and Avery Payne had two big swings that really helped us out with two BIG home runs.

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“Kynsly McCaig, Olivia Raspberry and Kaydee Taylor all had multiple hits late in our lineup.”

Lady Indians pitcher Handley McAtee makes sure that run counts Thursday at Holcomb.
Lady Indians pitcher Handley McAtee makes sure that run counts Thursday at Holcomb.Photo by Steve Hankins

F10 Payne Thursday went two-for-three and posted three runs on two hits, two RBIs and walked once against the Lady Hornets.

Shortstop McCaig was three-for-three against the Lady Hornets, recorded four runs on three hits, had two RBIs and a walk to her credit.

Second baseman Raspberry went two-for-four with three runs on two hits, two RBIs and a strike out.

Kennett Lady Indian Lauren Barton shows bunt Thursday at Holcomb.
Kennett Lady Indian Lauren Barton shows bunt Thursday at Holcomb.Photo by Steve Hankins

Right fielder Taylor was two-for-three, posted three runs on two hits, four RBIs, a walk and a strikeout.

Lady Hornets softball head coach Matt Casper said the Lady Indians delivered a wake-up call at Holcomb.

“Kennett hit the ball incredibly well,” Casper said. “Not much you can do but tip your cap.

Kennett Lady Indians softball head coach Logan Dollins, left, and Holcomb Lady Hornets softball head coach Matt Casper chat Thursday at Holcomb.
Kennett Lady Indians softball head coach Logan Dollins, left, and Holcomb Lady Hornets softball head coach Matt Casper chat Thursday at Holcomb.Photo by Steve Hankins

“Hopefully it's a good wake-up call for our girls,” the coach added. “Hopefully it'll motivate them to continue to work and get better as we get closer to district play.”

The Lady Hornets' Ella Lemings, Maleigh Lemings, Chloe Hendrix, Katelyn Danley, Addison Elliott and Jules Gurley all posted one run each against the Lady Indians.

Kennett is on the road Friday and crosses the state line to play Greene County Tech at 4:30 p.m at Paragould. The Team travels back to Arkansas Monday to play at 4:30 p.m. at Nettleton High School at Jonesboro.

Holcomb Lady Hornets shortstop Maleigh Lemings at the plate Thursday at home.
Holcomb Lady Hornets shortstop Maleigh Lemings at the plate Thursday at home.Photo by Steve Hankins

The Lady Indians return home to Indian Park and welcome the Greenville High School Lady Bears (8-10) at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Holcomb has a busy week ahead and welcomes the East Prairie Eagles (10-12-1) at 4:30 p.m. Monday and the Scott City Lady Rams (17-5) at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

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