Staff photo by Mike Buhler Kennett's Kalee Gore (right) is out at third base as Senath-Hornersville's Megan Smith sets up for the tag during Monday's high school softball game at Senath. [Click to enlarge]

Entering the 2008 spring softball season, the Kennett Lady Indians were still not happy over having to share the Bootheel Conference title last season.

Staff photo by Mike Buhler Kennett's Haley Morrow delivers a pitch against Senath-Hornersville during Monday's high school softball game at Senath. Morrow tossed a three-hitter to pick up the win in Kennett's 11-1 victory over the Lady Lions. [Click to enlarge]

Monday, they took that frustration out on the team that made them share last year's crown -- and on their toughest competitor for this year's league title.

The Lady Tribe started the day by recording an 11-1 road triumph against the Senath-Hornersville Lady Lions before heading back to Indian Park and routing the previously-unbeaten South Pemiscot Lady Bulldogs.

With the victory, Kennett has secured the top seed in next week's conference tournament and can win the regular-season title outright with a victory at Caruthersville.

"I said one other time that having that three-way tie last year left a bitter taste in our mouths," Kennett coach Laurie Vaughan said. "We wanted to strive from the beginning to show that we were capable of being conference champs."

Kennett (8-0, 4-0 Bootheel) showed that Monday, jumping out to an 11-0 first-inning lead against the Lady Bulldogs (7-1, 3-1).

"I talked to the girls about staying focused and continuing what we've been doing all year," said Vaughan. "They took it upon themselves to take control of the game from the get-go. They proved that they really wanted this."

While the offense was dominating at the plate, pitcher Laurel Scales was dominating as much or more on the pitching rubber.

Scales turned in perhaps her best game of the spring, striking out 13 -- out of 16 batters -- and facing just one batter over the minimum as she tossed a two-hit shutout against the Lady Bulldogs. Scales struck out at least two batters in every inning and struck out the side in the second, fourth and fifth innings.

"Coach Cheek and I talked during the game about how you could see it in her eyes she was wanting this game," Vaughan said. "She stepped up her game tonight too."

Taylor Wake stole home to open the game's scoring in the bottom of the first inning and Haley Morrow singled home Jordan Malady to make it 2-0, setting the table for shortstop Allyson Luce.

With Morrow and Ciara Dewrock on base, Luce sent a pitch over the left-field fence to extend the lead to 5-0 and give the Lady Tribe all the momentum it would need.

"Allyson's been struggling a little bit," Vaughan said. "It was nice to see her take a great cut and drive the ball like she's able to."

And the was far from over. Wake added a three-run double to make it 8-0, while Malady doubled home Wake and Kalee Gore for a 10-0 lead. Morrow capped the rally with her second RBI hit of the inning to plate Malady.

"I am pleased with our whole team effort -- offensively, defensively and in the dugout," said Vaughan. "We've proved that we are a true team."

Morrow singled to right to score Malady in the bottom of the third inning to cap the game's scoring.

The Lady Indians pounded out 13 hits against South Pem, including three-hit games by Wake and Morrow, while Malady and Jordan Wagster each had a pair of hits. Wake, Morrow and Luce each drove in three runs on the day.

Earlier in the day at Senath, the Lady Tribe were just as dominant, pounding out 15 hits and getting a stellar pitching performance from Morrow to rout Senath-Hornersville.

Morrow tossed a three-hitter and walked none while striking out four to earn the win. She was also 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a pair of stolen bases -- one of seven Kennett batters to have two hits. Wake, Kalee Gore, Ashlee Gore, Dewrock, Malady and Wagster also had a pair of hits on the day.

Dewrock stole five bases on the day, while Wake added a pair of steals and a triple and Kalee Gore doubled twice.

The Lady Tribe is back in action today when they head to Campbell for a doubleheader.