Tribe rolls into semis

HAYTI, Mo. -- The Kennett Indians may be peaking at the right time on the baseball diamond.

The Tribe scored at least three runs in every inning and pounded out 14 hits to roll to a 15-1 victory over Hayti in the first round of the Bootheel Conference Tournament here Monday.

The win was Kennett's fifth victory in its last seven games.

In Monday's other first-round BCT games, it was Senath-Hornersville 11, Malden 3; and Portageville 16, Caruthersville 0.

In the Tri-County Conference Tournament, it was Cooter 14, Gideon 1; Risco 7, Clarkton 5; Holcomb 8, Delta C-7 7; and Campbell 15, North Pemiscot 4.

In a play-in game, it was Gideon 13, Southland 3.

"The guys did a good job today of taking care of business," Kennett coach Aaron New said, "moving on and playing another round of the conference tournament."

After giving up a run to Hayti in the top of the first inning, it was all Tribe.

Trey Bazzell's bases-loaded groundball scored Bo Smith to tie the game, then pitcher Thomas Stillman drove a two-run base hit to plate Shane Branum and Nathan Henfling and put Kennett ahead to stay.

Stillman was dominant on the mound Monday, allowing just one run and a pair of hits -- all in the first inning -- while striking out six and walking three in four innings of work. Branum worked a 1-2-3 fifth inning to seal the victory.

"Thomas did an outstanding job," said New. "He's thrown the ball well for us all year. It was the same today -- he did a another good job for us."

The Tribe tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the second inning, four more in the bottom of the third -- all with two out -- then added five more in the fourth to put the 10-run mercy rule in effect.

Bo Smith led the way for Kennett (8-5) by going 3-for-4 with four runs scored, a pair of RBIs and two doubles.

"Bo's on-base percentage is going up as the season goes on," New said. "Hopefully he'll continue to be able to do that."

Cameron Wallace, Billy Fender and Henfling each had a pair of hits, while Henfling drove in three runs.

"Nathan has been pretty consistent for us all year long," said New. "He had another good day today."

Kennett will take on Portageville in a semifinal contest today at 5 p.m. The Indians defeated Portageville 8-6 last week.

"We'll have to play well again (Tuesday)," New said. "Portageville has another outstanding ballclub. Hopefully we'll come out, take care of business and get a chance at the conference championship on Thursday."

Tri-County Tourney
Holcomb 8, Delta C7 7
At Holcomb, the sixth-seeded Chargers rallied from a 6-0 deficit to force extra innings, but Jordan Osborne was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift the host Hornets to victory.

Chad Adams picked up the win in relief of starter Corbin Clark, who tossed four innings of hitless shutout ball.

Cooter 14, Gideon 1
At Cooter, the top-seeded Wildcats pounded out 13 hits and blasted three home runs to roll past Gideon.

Nick Rinks and Aaron Brown each drove in five runs and homered, while Jonathan Boone homered and had a pair of RBIs in the victory. Rinks and Brown also had a double apiece.

Brown also pitched 4 2/3 innings of four-hit ball for the victory, striking out five and walking three.

Reece Lindley took the loss for Gideon.