Encore performance: Tribe holds off Malden to repeat as champs

STEELE, Mo. -- After putting up a masterful performance in the semifinals of the Bootheel conference tournament, the Kennett Indians looked to capture the conference title for the second straight year in-a-row on Thursday.

This time, however, they would have to outplay a more formidable opponent in the Malden Greenwave along with battling more wind issues and a blaring sun that would be in their faces the entire ballgame.

Overcoming all the conditions against them, the Indians were able to pull out a one-run victory over the Greenwave and capture that coveted championship, 4-3.

Malden started off the game strong when they were able to score one run in the first and hold Kennett from scoring in the first two innings. It took some time for Kennett pitcher Trey Bazzell to get into his pitching groove and this showed as he allowed the first run in the ballgame to score on a wild pitch. This would come to be Bazzell's only downfall in the ballgame as he would only allow two more runs to score while striking out 10 Greenwave batters. Bazzell finished out the game strong as he retired the side in the sixth and seventh innings to clinch the victory.

"I felt like I couldn't get my location down in the first two innings, but after that I buckled down and was able to find my location and just go from there," is what Trey had to say about his performance on the mound for the Indians.

The run support for the Bazzell finally showed up in the third and fourth innings. All four Indian runs were scored in these two innings with the first run coming from Cameron Wallace's RBI single in the third. Bazzell then supported his own cause with a two-out double that scored two more runs for the Indians in the bottom of the third.

The eventual game-winning and conference-clinching run came off of the bat of Adam Grantham. Grantham belted a solo home run to left field, giving the Indians the 4-3 lead that they would not give away to the Greenwave.

"It feels good to beat a quality team and this win gives us a lot of confidence for the rest of the season," said Grantham about the victory.

Kennett head coach Aaron New praised his team's effort in fighting to the very end for the Conference title.

"It's always a good to win a championship since it doesn't happen every year. Our guys came out today and took care of business."

New also praised the pitching performance of his senior pitcher, Bazzell.

"It's what a senior's supposed to do in a championship game. You got to give a lot of credit to Malden. They really battled and had some good at-bats against (Trey), but Trey did exactly what he needed to do help us win today."

Grantham led all batters in the game, going 2-for-2 with one RBI and two runs. To go along with his 10 strikeouts, Bazzell only gave up two earned runs while walking only one Greenwave batter.

Kennett (14-6) will be back in action on Monday, the 10th, as they take on the Doniphan Dons at Indian Park, with the start time set for 4 p.m.

Notes: Grantham's home run was his fifth of the year. The single-season record is held by Ryne Branum, with nine in 2006. ... Bazzell leads the Tribe offense with a .535 batting average and 17 doubles.