Wallace's no-no leads Kennett to district semifinals

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- The Kennett Indians came into the first round of the Class 3 District 1 tournament not only looking for a win to advance to the semifinals, but looking for the type of win that would give them momentum throughout the rest of the tournament.

They did exactly what they wanted to do as they scored 20 runs in four innings and received a no-hit performance from starting pitcher Cameron Wallace to defeat the Doniphan Dons 20-0 on Monday at Notre Dame High School.

The Indians started out the game strong as they retired the side in the top of the first. Then, their offense started putting up the runs with two RBI doubles from Andy Lack and Logan Dollins. With the Indians up by two, Adam Grantham's RBI single extended the lead to 3-0 after one inning of play.

With neither team able to score in the second, the Indians were able to put up six runs in the third. The six-run inning featured an RBI single from Collin Smith, RBI double by Lack, RBI single from Dollins and a RBI sacrifice bunt from Andrew Hooper. Overall in the third, the Indians racked up five base hits, giving Kennett a 9-0 lead after the third.

Just like the previous three innings, Doniphan was unable to put get a hit off of Wallace. It was then in the bottom of the fourth when the Indians took total control of the ballgame.

In the fourth inning, the Indians scored 11 runs on eight hits. They loaded the bases early in the inning and kept them loaded throughout the inning by stringing together base hits and walks to keep the inning going.

It was two RBI base hits by Dollins and Trey Bazzell along with RBI singles by Thomas Stillman, Smith and Wallace that help contribute to the 11-run inning for the Indians.

Coming into the top of the fifth, Wallace looked to put an end to the game. He did so by getting the first two batters to ground out and then cap off his no-hitter with a strike out.

The final strike out was Wallace's eighth of the ball game as he allowed only two base runners to reach base via walks and only threw 66 pitches in five innings of work.

Wallace's no-hitter is exactly the type of performance that Kennett head coach Aaron New was looking for from his starting pitching in their first game of the tournament.

"All we needed Cameron to do was come out and throw strikes and did just that. I'm extremely proud of Cameron and his no-hit performance."

Wallace repeated his coach's thoughts about his performance on the mound as, he too, thought it was exactly the type of game his team needed in the first round.

"I felt really good today as I was able to just throw strikes. I just wanted to do my best for my team and my coaches. I felt like our entire team did well," Cameron said.

New attributes this win to the overall balance of his team in that everyone contributes in one way or another.

"When we've got guys swinging the bats, pitchers doing what they're supposed to do, and a strong defense we are able execute our game plan and, ultimately, win the ballgame. I hope this win gives us plenty of momentum throughout the rest of the tournament. We feel like if we pitch well on Tuesday and our batting and defense continue what they did today, then we fell like have a chance to win."

It was Logan Dollins who led all batters in the game, going 4-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored.

The Indians will now turn their attention to the Dexter Bearcats. The teams will face off for a spot in the tournament finals. Kennett will send Andy Lack to the mound on Tuesday as he and the Indians will take on Dexter at 4 p.m.