Kennett Lady Indians lose close one in final four to Diamond

The Kennett Lady Indians started their final four game against the Diamond Wildcats off strong. However, things were not able to go their way, as the Lady Indians lost 7-6 to the Diamond Wildcats.

“We have to find a way to strap it back up, and get ready for our next game playing for third place,” said Kennett head softball coach Logan Dollins. “It’s tough coming from a heart breaker like that.”

Kennett will now play for third place.

On Monday, the Lady Indians were tasked with playing the Diamond Wildcats for the second year in a row, after Kennett beat Diamond last year for third place in the state championship.

This year, both teams were looking for more.

Kennett lost on a walk-off hit in the bottom of the seventh inning, as the game was tied 6-6.

Diamond’s Bridges grounded out to Anelle Harris, which forced Suhrie to the plate from third base to score the game winning run.

“We executed as well as we could have,” said Dollins. “We just couldn’t catch a break there at the end of the ball game.”

Kennett started the game well, as they were the first to score. Anelle Harris doubled in the first inning to bring in Kyra Jacobs for the Lady Indians.

The hitting was good for the Lady Indians on the day. Kennett lost the hitting battle 8-9, as Anelle Harris and Handley McAtee both finished with multiple hits on the day.

“I think we just ran into a good pitcher that made adjustments on the fly and coaching that made adjustments on our swings, and we missed a few balls here and there,” said Dollins. “I think we still swing the bats well enough to win this game. Towards the end we just kind of slowed down a bit.”

Kennett lead for most of the game, as they scored four runs in the top of the second inning against Diamond.

Kyra Jaco singled on a line drive that brought in Tinnin. Later, Anelle Harris tripled, that play brought in three runners which included Jetta Tillmon, Kyra Jaco, and Audrey Phillips. Unfortunately, the Lady Indians did not register a scored run but one other time the rest of the game, that one came in the top of the fifth inning.

The Lady Indians played defense well in this one. They finished with two errors on the day.

“Yeah.. we played a clean game defensively,”stressed Dollins. “They just came up with some timely hits and were extremely aggressive on the base paths. They had some luck go their way and made a play there at the end.”

KNNT- 140 010 0- 6 8 2

DMND- 203 001 1- 7 9 0

Kennett (6)- Batting 2B: H McAtee, A Harris

3B: A Harris

Pitching: A Harris (6.2 IP, 9H, 7R, 5ER, 3BB, 5SO)

Diamond (7)- Batting 2B: C Suhrie, L Turner, K Parmley

HR: C Suhrie

Pitching: M Bentley ( 7.0IP, 8H, 6R, 6ER, 4BB, 6SO)