Senath-Hornersville takes down Kennett with two big innings for Bootheel Conference championship title

MALDEN – After a slow offensive start by both first-seeded Kennett and second-seeded Senath-Hornersville, the Lions' offense went to work to upset the Indians 18-6 and claim the Bootheel Conference championship title Tuesday, April 25, 2023.

Senath-Hornersville won the championship in 2021 as well, making it their second in three years.

“I think they realized halfway through the game that we can compete with them and that we can be just as good,” Senath-Hornersville coach Melani Rooney said. “I've been telling them all season that they can compete with anybody if they want to. We came out swinging, and once they got some momentum they never gave it back to Kennett.”

The Lions came out and scored two runs in the first inning, but Kennett tied it up after the second inning. Senath-Hornersville scored another in both the third and fourth, and Kennett added one in the fourth as well.

Things took a turn in the top of the fifth, however, as the Lions poured it on to outscore Kennett 7-2. Jada Burlison led off with a double to left field, which Kylie Walker followed up with a home run bringing in both.

Jada Burlison finished out Senath-Hornersville's scoring in the fifth with a triple on a line drive to right field, bringing home Ebbi Fuwell, Halle Jamerson and Kaya Horton.

Following another slow sixth inning, the Lions closed the door with six more runs in the seventh.

“Our mindset was just that we can do it,” Rooney said. “All gas, no breaks. We're not slowing down, we're going to hit and we're going to play our best defense. For the first couple innings it was really close, but in the fifth inning our bats got really hot and stayed hot for the rest of the game.”

Senath-Hornersville racked up a total of 24 hits and 14 RBIs, while only striking out twice. Lion junior Jada Burlison led at the plate with four runs on six hits with four RBIs. Kaya Horton, Kylie Walker, Emma Sample, Ebbi Fuwell and Halle Jamerson all contributed two runs.

“We played Swing Pink in the higher bracket, and we really found our identity over the weekend playing there,” Rooney explained. “Offensively, I feel like we've started kind of slow in the past, but now we're not having to dig ourselves out of a hole. On defense, we just want to be a wall, and last night they put that to the test.”

Senath-Hornersville's Katie McClelland holds the game ball and championship plaque following the Lions' win over Kennett Tuesday.Steve Hankins, Delta Dunklin Democrat

Senior Katie McClelland pitched a complete game in the championship, and she threw for the majority of the Lions' semifinal game against Portageville.

McClelland faced 33 batters and threw 77 pitches and 55 strikes but zero strikeouts. She allowed 12 hits and five earned runs.

“Katie McClelland pitched most of the first game and pitched the whole second game,” Rooney said. “She really dug deep and came through for us. We're really proud of her, and she got the game ball last night.”

For Kennett, Handley McAtee secured two runs on three hits. Kynsly McCaig, Emma Bodkin, Meagan Spielman and Heather Jones all contributed one.

McAtee pitched for the first five innings. She faced 31 batters and threw 92 pitches and 61 strikes for two strikeouts. She allowed 14 hits and six earned runs, with 12 runs in total.

McAtee was relieved by Emma Bodkin for the final two innings, who threw 35 pitches and 24 strikes while allowing 10 hits and six earned runs.

Kennett's Handley McAtee throws a pitch in the Bootheel Conference championship game against Senath-Hornersville Tuesday.Steve Hankins, Delta Dunklin Democrat

Before the championship, Senath-Hornersville had defeated Caruthersville 14-4 and Portageville 11-5. Kennett drew a bye in the first round, then took down Malden 6-1 in the tournament semifinals.

While both teams are Class 2 District 1 competitors, they may face off again in the district tournament which is scheduled to begin next Friday.