Bazzell steps up to pitch Tribe past Lions

After two strong seasons to open his high school career, it should not be a surprise that Trey Bazzell is emerging as the ace of the Kennett Indians pitching staff.

Bazzell took another step toward becoming one of the area's best hurlers Tuesday, tossing six innings of one-hit ball as the Tribe took a crucial 3-0 Bootheel Conference win over the Senath-Hornersville Lions at Indian Park.

In other area games, Campbell routed Holcomb 18-4, while in softball, Kennett rallied for an 8-4 win at Senath-Hornersville and Southland downed Risco 7-5. In golf, Kennett and NMCC tied for first in a quadrangular meet.

"Trey did another outstanding job today," Kennett coach Aaron New said. "You can't ask for anymore than what he's given us his last two outings. I'm extremely proud of him. Daniel (Lockhert) came in the last inning and shut the door down. Our pitching's been good and hopefully it'll continue to get better."

Bazzell struck out six and walked just one in the win.

"I was just trying to locate my fastball, locate my curveball and keep it down a little bit," said Bazzell. "I'd like to congratulate my teammate Clayton Gibbons on a spectacular hit. That was a big run for us."

The game was a scoreless pitcher's duel between Bazzell and Lions' pitcher Heath Horvath until the bottom of the fifth inning, when Gibbons' two-out base hit drove home Andy Lack with the game's first run.

The Indians (5-5, 4-0 Bootheel) added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth off the Senath-Hornersville bullpen to seal the game.

"Horvath's an outstanding pitcher, probably one of the better pitchers in this area," said New. "He gave us fits for a couple of innings. I thought our bats were okay against him. There in the end, Clayton Gibbons came through with a big hit and some other guys came through right there and were able to push across a couple of runs. That's big for us."

Gibbons had two of Kennett's eight hits to pace the Tribe offense.

The Indians head to Sikeston this afternoon before heading to Portageville on Thursday for another key Bootheel Conference matchup.

"It's big," New said of Tuesday's win. "We would love to be the No. 1 seed going into the Bootheel Conference tournament but I know we've got some quality teams that we have to play. We've got to show up and take care of business. If our bunch shows up and takes care of business, we think we've got a good chance to win."

Campbell 18, Holcomb 4
At Holcomb, the visiting Camels used an 18-hit attack to roll to victory.

Campbell took an 8-0 lead in the top of the third inning, then plated nine runs in the top of the fifth to break the game fully open.

Joe Campbell led the Camel attack by going 4-for-4 while Kyle Matthews went 2-for-4 with four RBIs, including a three-run home run in the fifth inning. Dylan Lynn went 2-for-3, while Cody Huber went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, Cale Weeks went 2-for-4 and drove in a pair of runs, Zack Jackson went 2-for-4, and Jake Nelson went 2-for-4.

Dylan Lynn got the win by going four innings, allowing four hits and a pair of runs while striking out 11.

For Holcomb (2-5), Shane McElwrath went 3-for-3 with two RBIs.

Softball
Kennett 8, Senath-H'ville 4
At Senath, the Lady Tribe overcame a shaky start and an injury to pitcher Haley Morrow to down the Lady Lions in a rematch of last spring's Bootheel Conference Tournament championship.

"Senath came out ready to play," Kennett coach Laurie Vaughan said. "They started really hitting the ball and had some hard hit balls also. But you have to give credit to our team -- they hung in there, kept battling and pulled it out."

Senath-Hornersville scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 4-3 lead, later forcing Morrow from the game when she took a batted ball off of her ankle.

However, Laurel Scales pitched six innings of scoreless, two-hit relief to earn the victory, striking out 11 batters.

Kennett (7-0, 2-0 Bootheel) took back the lead in the top of the fourth, as Elizabeth Hively doubled down the third-base line and Jordan Wagster singled to ignite a rally. Hively scored the tying run on an error and Wagster came home with the go-ahead run on a passed ball.

The Lady Tribe added another run later in the inning and two more in the top of the seventh inning to seal the win.

"We heard all along coming in as a new coach that there was a big rivalry between Kennett and Senath," said Vaughan. "It's always good to walk away with a win playing at their place. It is a good boost for us in conference play but we still play them again in the season and hope to see them again in the conference tourney."

Kennett plays at New Madrid County Central on Friday, while the Lady Lions head to Campbell on Thursday.

Southland 7, Risco 5
At Arbyrd, Paige Baugh was 2-for-3 to pace a seven-hit Lady Rebels attack.

Baugh also scored a pair of runs and drove in a run, while Darcy McMinn added a solo homer, scored twice and stole a base.

Becca Bakich went the distance pitching to earn the win, allowing two earned runs and three walks while striking out four.

Golf
Tribe ties for first in quad meet
At Kennett Country Club, the Tribe tied for first with New Madrid County Central as both shot 170 to outdistance the rest of the field.

Randy Crawford led the way for Kennett with a 39, while Ryan Richardson carded a 41 and the duo of Tyler Niemeier and Dylan Lynn each brought home 45s. Sean Callewaert added 48 and Ben Collins finished with a 56.