Lady Tribe, Southland remain perfect on year

STEELE, Mo. -- Another spring, another Bootheel Conference title for the Kennett Lady Indians.

The Lady Tribe wrapped up its fourth straight regular-season league title -- and third outright title -- with a 13-4 rout of the South Pemiscot Lady Bulldogs here Tuesday.

Kennett (10-0, 6-0 Bootheel) has not lost a regular-season Bootheel Conference game since 2007.

"I am extremely pleased with the effort on the field from this group of young ladies," Kennett coach Laurie Vaughan said. "They have worked hard and deserve this title. Allyson Luce, Jody Vancil, Jordan Wagster and Elizabeth Hively all had two hits apiece to lead the team today. We had another great showing on the mound from both Laurel Jones and Chandler Essary.

"If you haven't gotten a chance to come out and watch this group of ladies play softball, you are missing out on something special."

Meanwhile, Kennett isn't the only undefeated softball team in the Bootheel. The Southland Lady Rebels rolled past Holcomb 11-0 in the semifinals of the Tri-County Conference Tournament Tuesday at Clarkton and is now 13-0 on the spring.

"That's a big goal for us at this point," said Southland coach Johnny McMinn. "I didn't really think that that would even be possible. ... We will come out here ready to play (Wednesday).

At Steele, Luce, Vancil and Taylor Wake each drove in two runs Tuesday, while Jade Caldwell stole three bases and Hively stole a pair.

Jones once again dominated in the pitcher's circle, striking out 11 and walking one while allowing no hits through four innings. Essary pitched the final three innings innings, allowing three hits and two earned runs while striking out five.

Kennett travels to New Madrid County Central today.

Meanwhile, the Lady Rebels (13-0) put up eight runs in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back against Holcomb.

"(Holcomb) made a few mistakes, but we hit the ball as well," McMinn said. "Their pitcher had a few problems throwing strikes a little in that first inning and they made a few errors which hurt them a little."

Catcher Darcy McMinn had a huge day at the plate, blasting two homers and driving in five runs while scoring three times, while pitcher Jordan Zolman helped her cause by hitting a solo homer and a two-run double.

Zolman also dominated in the circle, tossing the two-hit shutout while striking out six and improving to 11-0 on the season.