Perfection: Lady Tribe sweeps league with rout of Hayti

The Kennett Lady Indians had to wait a little longer than expected to play for their third straight Bootheel Conference title on Monday, but once they did, it didn't take too long to wrap it up.

The Lady Tribe scored 14 runs in the first inning and needed just 2 1/2 innings to defeat Hayti 15-0 at Indian Park.

Kennett (12-0, 6-0 Bootheel) has not lost a league game since a 3-2 loss at Senath-Hornersville April 30, 2007.

"I have to give credit to this group of girls," Kennett coach Laurie Vaughan said. "Like I've said before, they've got the taste of winning and being successful -- and they don't want to settle for less. They go out there and get the job done the way they know how to."

Said pitcher Laurel Scales: "I think that we just came out here to do our thing and play our game. We just got it done."

They definitely did that Monday.

After Scales sat Hayti down in order in the top of the first inning, Kennett dominated on offense in the bottom half of the inning, sending 18 batters to the plate and having their first 14 batters reach safely and eventually score.

"It's been good," Kennett third baseman Ashlee Gore said. "Today we went through the batting order I don't know how many times -- it was great. We all hit it well."

While the Lady Tribe did not overpower the ball -- Ciara Dewrock's double was the lone extra-base hit of the game -- Kennett did go 10-for-15 on Monday and also capitalized on a whopping seven hit batsmen.

Dewrock and Elizabeth Hively led the attack with two hits apiece.

"We continue to hit the ball well," said Vaughan. "I hope we continue that for the rest of our season. Great things will happen (if we do). They got up there, they swung at good pitches, they got great contact and were aggressive on the basepaths."

Meanwhile, Scales was yet again dominant, striking out eight of the nine batters she faced and retiring the other on a popup to her.

"Laurel did a good job on the mound today," Vaughan said. "Even after doing all the stuff that we had to do -- waiting around and that kind of thing for the weather and stuff -- it didn't faze her or the rest of the team. They just got out there and got the job done."

Scales was quick to share the credit for Monday's success.

"I'm pretty proud of our team," said Scales. "We just work together. It takes a team -- it's not just one individual."

Kennett hosts South Pemiscot in a non-conference game this afternoon, weather permitting, opening a four-game home stand to close out the regular season.

Baseball
Cooter, Holcomb win tourney openers
The Holcomb Hornets provided the upset special in Monday's Tri-County Tournament, routing third-seeded North Pemiscot 15-2 at Wardell.

Corbin Clark had a pair of hits as eight Holcomb batters hit safely.

The Hornets take on either Campbell or Clarkton in Wednesday's semifinals.

In other action, top-seeded Cooter rolled past Delta C7 15-1.

Zach Watkins homered to pace Cooter (13-1) as the Wildcats racked up 15 hits in the win.

Jonathan Boone, Parker Watkins and Jordan Anderson combined on a two-hitter.

Lions take fifth at Chaffee
Over the weekend, the Senath-Hornersville Lions rode their starting pitching to the consolation title at the Chaffee tournament.

"We pitched really well in that tournament ... " Senath-Hornersville coach Randy Smith said. "Our (starters) gave up just one run in the tournament."

The Lions (11-5) bounced back from a 1-0 loss to Shawnee, Ill. on Friday by routing Oran 12-0 and downing Perryville 11-5 on Saturday.

Against Oran, Heath Horvath stepped up, tossing a no-hitter and hitting two homers. Teammate Matt Fouts added a homer of his own.

Against Shawnee, Ben Salas struck out 13 batters but got a no-decision as he left the game tied 0-0.