Portageville steals the show with an 8-1 win over Kelly, extends win streak to a dozen

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — In a highly anticipated matchup between two of the area’s top teams, Portageville came out swinging and quickly established a lead that Kelly could not overcome.

The Bulldogs (25-2) extended their winning streak to 12 games with 8-1 statement win, while the loss snapped a five-game win streak for the Hawks (17-6).

“Today was a solid win for us,” said Portageville coach Tyler Trover. “[Thomas Frakes] commanded the zone and threw well. The defense played solid overall, except for a few mistakes early.”

Frakes earned the complete-game win after seven innings. He didn’t give up any earned runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and two walked batters.

Portageville jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after Xayvion Bogan scored on a single by Beau Hunter-Warren.

Kelly evened the score in the top of the second inning after Nicholas Christian scored on an error, but the Bulldogs quickly regained the advantage in the bottom of the inning after Jayquan Bogan scored on an error.

“Offensively, we worked against the [Kelly’s starting pitcher Dalton Forck],” Trover said. “He may be the most improved kid I've seen in a year. He has nice velocity and worked both sides of the plate with multiple pitches.”

The Bulldogs extended the lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the third inning when Carson Bradley scored on a sacrifice fly by Conner Johnson.

Portageville went on to put the game completely out of reach in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring five runs to increase the lead to 8-1. Those runs came Jayquan Bogan scored on a fielder’s choice, Trey Benthal singled to score Huston Partin, Thomas Frakes singled to score Dunalp and Mason Adams, and Xayvion Bogan scored on a single by Bradley.

“I appreciate the way we kept the pressure on them all day until we finally busted it loose in the sixth inning,” Trover said. “But we still have to get better every day. Continue playing solid, fundamental baseball. The playoffs are around the corner. We have been waiting for this all year, as this is why we play. The opportunity to compete in the postseason.”

The game was a potential preview of a Class 3 Sectional matchup, as both teams will likely be the top seed in their respective district tournament.

“This was a potential playoff game if both teams have the opportunity to be there this year,” Trover said. “It was a nice measuring stick for us.”

Forck took the loss for Kelly after 5.1 innings of work and allowing five earned runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts and one walk.

Forck also led the Hawks at the plate. He was the one player on the team to register multiple hits and finished 3-for-4 with a double.

Christian threw the final 0.2 innings for Kelly. He allowed two earned runs on three hits.

Portageville received the top seed in the Bootheel Conference Tournament and was scheduled to take on fourth-seeded Caruthersville (7-12) on Monday, May 1.

__PORTAGEVILLE 8, KELLY 1__

Kelly 010 000 0 — 1 7 3

P’Ville 111 005 x — 8 11 2

W—Thomas Frakes. L—Dalton Forck. 2B—Portageville: Trey Benthal, Jayquan Bogan; Kelly: Forck.