Sikeston comeback falls short against Kelly

BENTON, Mo. — A late comeback fell short as Sikeston lost 8-6 at Kelly on Wednesday, March 22.

The Hawks (1-1) built an 8-3 advantage after an offensive explosion in the second inning, and Bulldogs (1-2) weren’t able to capitalize after narrowing the lead to 8-5 and loading the bases in the fifth inning.

“The guys played well today,” said Kelly coach Josh Hopkins. “We did a good job of getting runs on the board early. Sikeston threw some early punches and we did a good job of answering those.”

Jacob Leavitt makes contact during Oran's 9-3 win over Sikeston at VFW Stadium in Sikeston, Mo., on Wednesday, May 4. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Brice Gordon scored off a single from Noah Pruitt to give Sikeston a 1-0 advantage in the first inning, but Kelly tied it 1-1 in the bottom of the inning when Michael Dollins scored off a hard ground ball from Dalton Forck.

The Bulldogs responded in the ensuing inning with a couple of runs to take a 3-1 lead. Those runs came after Carter Goodman led off the inning with a single on a fly ball and scored on a single by Conner Wallace, and Joseph Heckemeyer scored the other run on a ground ball by Rush Ault.

However, Kelly countered with a plethora of runs in the bottom of the inning. Drew Klipfel started things out with a single to centerfield and scored on a single by Colton Essner.

Essner and Jett Hull scored after a single by Dollins and gave the Hawks a 4-3 advantage.

Kelly's other runs came when Brayden Volkerding scored on a passed ball, Dollins scored on a single by Forck, Mason Eubanks scored on a bunt by Nicholas Christian and when Reece Eftink scored after tagging up.

“Once we got some people on we were able to the wheels in motion and get some runs,” Hopkins said. “We were able to manufacture some runs and that’s what we're going to have to do to be successful.”

The Bulldogs narrowed the 8-5 after Trace Sullivan scored on a single by Heckemeyer and Goodman stole home plate.

“I applaud their effort climbing back into the game after falling behind,” said Sikeston coach Wyatt Pratt. “Ultimately one inning cost us the ball game when we failed to get ahead in the count on the mound and didn’t execute on defense.”

Ross Peters earned the win for Kelly after starting the game and throwing the first four innings. He allowed three earned runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts and three walked batters.

Essner finished the game, pitching three innings and allowing an earned run on two hits with two strikeouts and a walk.

“We did a good job of dealing on the mound and giving our defense good opportunities to get outs,” Hopkins said.

Jacob Leavitt took the loss after throwing five innings and surrendering seven earned runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and two walks. Heath Poindexter pitched the final innings, allowing no runs on no hits with one walked batter.

“Jacob Leavitt made an incredible adjustment after the second inning and really challenged them in the strike zone,” Pratt said.

Kelly will host East Prairie (1-0) on Thursday, March 23, and Chaffee (1-0) on Monday, March 27.

Sikeston will compete in the Midwest Classic Tournament in St. Charles, Missouri, beginning March 27.

__KELLY 8, SIKESTON 5__

Sikeston 120 020 0 — 5 9 2

Kelly 170 000 x — 8 7 1

W—Ross Peters. L—Jacob Levitt.