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