Tribe has a bad day: Few things go right for Kennett in loss to Mules

Just about anything that could go wrong, did go wrong for the Kennett Indians against Poplar Bluff.

Kennett almost as many errors (four) as it did hits (five) and found itself down three runs before even getting to bat as it suffered an 8-1 loss to the Mules in SEMO Conference play Tuesday at Indian Park.

The loss was the first of the season for the Tribe (1-1, 1-1 SEMO) after winning its season opener 4-3 against Cape Central on Monday.

"We didn't obviously play as well as we did (Monday)," Kennett coach Aaron New said. "It was all phases of the game. We didn't pitch well, we didn't field well and we didn't hit. When that happens, you normally don't win the game."

Kennett struggled against the Mules (1-1, 1-0) from the very start, as Bobby McIntosh singled to lead off the game, went to second on an error and scored on pitcher Donnie Magruder's base hit to make it 1-0.

Magruder then scored when the next batter, Brennen Moore, reached on an error. Todd Bullington singled Moore to third and Moore came home when Dallas Berry reached on an error to make it 3-0.

"It's uncharacteristic of us not to play good defense," said New. "It's normally a strong suit of our team but today, it wasn't there."

Kennett rallied in the bottom of the first inning, as Cameron Wallace led off with a single, stole second, went to third on a passed ball and scored on Clayton Gibbons' base hit.

However, it would be the only run the Indians would score, as Magruder retired 10 of the next 12 batters.

"When you get behind early, it's tough to battle back," New said. "We had a couple of chances to get back in the game at times and we just never could get any offense going."

Bluff extended its lead in the top of the second inning, as Ben Knuckles singled to left and later scored on Josh Thompson's triple to make it 4-1. Thompson came home on Moore's base hit and Nick Shrum, who was running for Moore, crossed the plate when Bullington reached on an error -- Kennett's fourth miscue of the day.

The Mules took a 7-1 lead when Berry led off the top of the third inning with a solo homer over the left-field fence, and added another run when McIntosh singled, stole second and came home on a Thompson single.

"You have to give Poplar Bluff a lot of credit," said New. "They hit the ball up and down the lineup all day."

Thompson finished the game with two hits and a pair of RBIs, while McIntosh and Shrum each scored twice.

Gibbons had two of Kennett's five hits.

Thompson picked up the win for Bluff, while Wallace took the loss for the Tribe.

Kennett is scheduled to play at Dexter this afternoon in another SEMO Conference game.

Notes: The game was called because of rain with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning because of rain and lightning. ... The Mules have won three of the last four meetings against Kennett. The Indians' last victory over Poplar Bluff came in March 2007.

Softball
Kennett 15, Holcomb 0
At Holcomb, the Lady Tribe improved to 2-0 on the spring with another lopsided victory.

Haley Morrow became the second Kennett hurler in as many days to toss a no-hitter, allowing just a second-inning walk while keeping the Lady Hornets handcuffed, striking out eight of the 10 hitters she faced.

"Haley did a great job on the mound," Kennett coach Laurie Vaughan said. "She had great control of her pitches. We faced a strong wind today and it just shows how strong she is, that she can overcome the win and pitch a great game."

Kennett scored five runs in the top of the first inning, added eight more in the second and two more in the third to enforce the 15-run sportsmanship rule after three innings.

"Our girls are showing a lot of dedication, a lot of heart and the sheer desire to win ballgames," said Vaughan. "They take every tool that they have and apply it to every at-bat and every ball hit to them to get the job done. It's just a joy to coach a group of girls like that."

Kennett is scheduled to host Dexter this afternoon.