Tribe takes down Malden for first win

Staff photo by Mike Buhler Kennett leftfielder Nathan Henfling takes aim at a pitch during Friday's Bootheel Conference baseball game against Malden at Indian Park. Henfling was 2-for-4 with two runs scored as the Tribe defeated Malden 11-5. [Click to enlarge]

After managing just one hit in an Opening Day loss Monday, the Kennett Indians knew they needed to swing the bats better to defeat Malden on Friday.

"We were definitely going to need some hits today," Kennett pitcher Shane Branum said after Friday's contest. "After coming off of a game where we had (only a) couple, that was my main concern because I knew we would play good defense. As long as we hit the ball good, I knew we'd be all right."

Kennett was indeed just fine, pounding out 14 hits -- six for extra bases -- to take an 11-5 win over the Green Wave in the Bootheel Conference opener for both teams.

Staff photo by Mike Buhler Kennett's Shane Branum delivers a pitch during Friday's baseball game against Malden at Indian Park. [Click to enlarge]

"We did beat a good Malden team," Kennett coach Aaron New said. "They'll probably be contenders in (Class 2) this year. We're happy just to get that first win of the year today. Hopefully next game we'll finish better."

The Indians (1-1, 1-0 Bootheel) set the tempo early, hanging up four runs in the bottom of the first inning to erase an early deficit and seize the momentum.

Gage Blue's bases-loaded grounder scored Cameron Wallace to tie the game at 1-1, then Austin Jackson singled in Nathan Henfling to put Kennett ahead. Branum came home on a fielder's choice to make it 3-1, and Payte Harris scored on Trey Bazzell's double to cap the rally.

"Offensively we were a little better today," said New. "The guys had a little better swing and a lot better approach than they did Monday."

Wallace -- a freshman playing just his second varsity game -- sparked the team in the bottom of the second inning, hitting an one-out solo home run to extend the lead to 5-1, then sophomore Billy Fender added another solo shot in the bottom of the third to make it 7-1.

"Those two are definitely going to have to step up and be key players this year," Branum said. "They're going to be a big key to any success -- all our young kids stepping up and making things happen for us."

The Tribe extended the lead to 10-1 in the fourth inning on back-to-back-to-back RBIs from Blue, Jackson and Harris and seemed to be on the way to enforcing the 10-run rule before slowing down the final three innings.

"Austin is capable of (doing that) for us this year," said New of the junior, who had a game-high three RBIs. He really can supply us with offense in the middle of the order and that's what we'll need from him the rest of the year."

Kennett also got strong pitching Friday from Branum, who struck out six and walked one while allowing just three hits in four innings off work.

"I was really pleased with Shane's outing today," New said. "He had good stuff and stayed within his pitch limits."

Said Jackson: "He did good. He threw strikes, kept the ball down and gave us groundballs and popflies, giving us a chance to get the outs we needed to win the game"

Malden scored four runs in the top of the sixth inning -- all unearned -- making it a 10-5 game on Cody Collins' two-run homer to leftfield, but came no closer as Bazzell -- who relieved Branum the previous inning -- shut the door from there.

Jackson finished the day 3-for-4 to pace the Indians' attack, while Henfling, Bazzell Wallace and Fender each had a pair of hits. Fender and Blue also drove in a pair of runs.

"We did a good job of hitting the ball," Jackson said. "We had 1-9 hitting the ball. We had strong hits when we needed them and we came through."

The Tribe plays at Hayti Monday before hosting Cape-Notre Dame on Thursday.