C2SB Notebook: Kennett offensive depth led by junior in Semifinal W

Kennett High School junior Lauren Barton runs the bases on Monday against Lone Jack in the MSHSAA Class 2 Softball State Semifinal at the Killian Softball Complex in Springfield.

Tom Davis ~ Tdavis@semoball.com

SPRINGFIELD – It’s difficult to know where to focus if you are an opposing softball coach trying to contain the Kennett High School offense. The Indians (25-8) have power (they have crushed 26 home runs this spring and have 87 doubles), but also speed (Kennett has stolen 66 bases).

“We are one of those teams,” fourth-year Indian coach Logan Dollins said, “where at any given point, up and down the lineup, from the one hole to the nine, anyone can score runs or manufacture runs.”

Kennett will play its biggest game of the season today, as it faces a powerful Diamond High School squad (37-1) today at 11 a.m. in the MSHSAA Class 2 State Championship Game at the Killian Softball Complex in Springfield.

The Indians advanced following Monday’s 11-4 win over Lone Jack in the semifinal, and no Kennett hitter was more impressive than junior Lauren Barton.

“She has been a solid No. 2-hole hitter for us,” Dollins said of Barton.

Against Lone Jack, Barton connected for four hits in four at-bats, including three doubles.

“Her approach was really solid today,” Dollins said. “The (Lone Jack pitcher) was pitching her middle-away, and (Barton) just stayed behind the softball and just tried to get the barrel to it.”

Barton, who hit .374 on the season with 120 doubles and 14 walks, also added three RBI and four runs in Monday’s win.

“It is just work ethic and preparation from her standpoint,” Dollins said of Barton’s success this spring.

Kennett High School softball coach Logan Dollins speaks to his team following its win over Lone Jack in the MSHSAA Class 2 State Semifinal on Monday at the Killion Softball Complex in Springfield. (Tom Davis ~ Tdavis@semoball.com)

Happy Birthday

It was a BIG day for Dollins, not just because his softball team advanced to the state title game for the first time since 2019, but also because it was his 30th birthday.

“I woke up this morning and my back was hurting,” Dollins laughed.

He did add that the victory was “for sure” one of the best birthday gifts that he has ever received.

“I’m just proud of the girls,” Dollins said. “They have worked really hard all year long to get here, and to have the opportunity to play for a state title is something special.”

Tough foe

No one comprehends the difficulty of today’s task more so than Dollins, whose team lost to Diamond in early April 11-1 in a tournament at West County High School.

“We are going to have to keep pressure on them,” Dollins said. “We’re going to have to play really, really good defensively.

“Diamond is a great team. They do everything right.”

Wildcat freshman pitcher Taelyn Reeder limited the Indians to just two hits in that earlier rout, but Willow Springs got to her quickly in Monday’s semifinal, before it fell 13-3.

Reeder threw just 1 1/3 innings on Monday and allowed one hit, three earned runs, and walked three batters before being relieved by senior Caitlyn Suhrie.

“Diamond is really aggressive,” Dollins said. “They are going to try and put pressure on you. What we have to do is defend and make routine plays.

“The last time we played them, we didn’t play very well.”

In that loss, Kennett made seven errors.

“Hopefully,” Dollins said, “we can out seven innings together.”