Staff photo by Mike Buhler Kennett's Trey Bazzell delivers a pitch against Portageville during Wednesday's Bootheel Conference baseball game at Indian Park. [Click to enlarge]

The Kennett Indians have developed a habit of rebounding well from adversity this season.

The Tribe snapped a two-game losing streak in a big way Wednesday, downing the Portageville Bulldogs 8-6 to clinch a share of the Bootheel Conference title at Indian Park.

"It's something that the team was really excited about today," said Kennett coach Aaron New. "Winning a share of the Bootheel Conference title is something that the coaching staff and players are real proud of."

Staff photo by Mike Buhler Kennett's Andy Lack lays down a bunt against Portageville during Wednesday's baseball game at Indian Park. [Click to enlarge]

This isn't the first time the Indians (7-5, 5-1 Bootheel) have pulled out a big win after back-to-back losses. Earlier this season, the Tribe no-hit Senath-Hornersville after losses to Dexter and South Pemiscot -- its lone Bootheel Conference loss.

"That's kind of been something that we've done good this year," New said. "I'm proud of the way that our kids are competing."

Kennett even overcame some adversity during Wednesday's game. After an error allowed the Bulldogs to tie the game at 5-5 in the top of the fourth inning, the Indians bounced back in the bottom of the inning.

Cameron Wallace doubled home Blake Meek to put the Tribe back on top, then winning pitcher Shane Branum singled home Wallace and Gage Blue connected on a base hit to plate Branum and cap the rally.

"As a team we weren't bothered by a few errors that allowed Portageville back in the game," said Branum. "We kept fighting hard, wanting to make the next play and I believe that's why we got the win."

The Indians did not need to long to bounce back from an early 2-0 deficit, as Wallace and Bo Smith both reached to lead off the bottom of the first inning. Wallace came home on a passed ball, while Smith scored on Branum's two-run blast -- his first career home run -- to put Kennett ahead. Nathan Henfling scored later in the inning on a Payte Harris bunt to cap the rally.

Branum had perhaps his best all-around day of his career Wednesday, going 3-for-3 with four RBIs in addition to being the winning pitcher.

"Shane really stepped up as a senior in a big game today," New said. "That's what we'll need from him the rest of the year heading into the district tournament."

Branum put the Tribe up 5-2 in the bottom of the second inning on a sacrifice fly that scored Wallace.

Branum and reliever Trey Bazzell also were strong on the hill, combining to allow just two earned runs and five hits on the day. Branum started and pitched the first four innings, while Bazzell tossed the last three to earn the save.

"Both guys did an outstanding job today of giving us a chance to win the conference championship," said New. "I'm extremely proud of both of them."

Also outstanding Wednesday was the Tribe's offense. After managing just nine hits in the previous three games, Kennett pounded out 14 hits against the Bulldogs as all nine batters in the lineup had at least one hit.

"We finally got our bats going a little bit today," New said. "Hopefully our guys can continue to put good at-bats together and we'll get going headed into May."

In addition to Branum's three hits, Wallace, Smith and Blue each had two hits.

"Our bats have been slow to come around all year, but Coach New stressed to us not to let the first pitch fastball go by," said Branum. "We got the hits we needed when we needed them to put us ahead for the victory."

Notes: The Indians are off until next week when they begin play in the Bootheel Conference Tournament. Kennett's seed in the tournament will be determined by the outcome of this evening's game between Senath-Hornersville and South Pemiscot. If Senath wins, the Indians are the top seed. If South Pemiscot wins, it clinches the top seed.