Kennett SB senior class lacks numbers, but not impact

Kennett High School senior Hadley Wilson cheers on her teammates after reaching base in the recent MSHSAA Class 2 Softball State Championship Game at the Killian Softball Complex in Springfield.

Tom Davis ~ Tdavis@semoball.com

SPRINGFIELD – There were only two seniors on the 2024 Kennett High School softball squad, but though the class lacked in numbers, Kaydee Taylor and Hadley Wilson did not lack in the impact made with the Indians.

“Those two are unselfish, great people,” fourth-year Kennett coach Logan Dollins said of his seniors. “That is the best part about them, both Kaydee and Hadley are just tremendous kids.”

Both Taylor and Wilson played pivotal roles in the recent MSHSAA Class 2 State Championship game in Springfield. Though the Indians fell 8-5 to Diamond High School, they nearly pulled off the upset because of the contributions of the two seniors.

Indian junior Emma Bodkin drew a one-out walk in the fourth inning and took second on a two-out single from Taylor. Junior Handley McAtee loaded the bases with a single, which was followed by a two-RBI double from Barton that scored Bodkin and Taylor.

“The best part was that we were down 3-0,” Dollins said, “and we cut it to 3-1, and then 3-3, and found ways to get back into the ball game.”

Kennett High School senior Kaydee Taylor swings at a pitch in the recent MSHSAA Class 2 Softball State Semifinal Game against Lone Jack at the Killian Softball Complex in Springfield. (Tom Davis ~ Tdavis@semoball.com)

Wilson had a massive hit later in the inning that put Kennett on the precipice of its first state championship since winning consecutive Class 1 titles in 2014 and 2015.

Kennett grabbed a 5-3 lead in the fourth inning when Wilson tripled off Diamond relief pitcher Caitlyn Suhrie immediately, which scored McAtee and Barton.

“Kaydee and Hadley have bright futures,” Dollins said. “From a program standpoint, they have just been tremendous for our program.”

Wilson was recently named to the All-SEMO Conference Team after hitting .491 on the season with a team-leading 58 RBI and eight home runs.

“Hadley has been a great hitter,” Dollins said, “and a great defender (at first base) for us.”

Taylor made her presence felt in right field and tallied 12 hits and 16 RBI this spring.

“Kaydee has been a great outfielder,” Dollins said, ‘and had a great offensive year for us.

“I’m extremely proud of them and extremely thankful for them.”

In the past four seasons with Taylor and Wilson, the Indians have won 87 games and made three thrips to the MSHSAA State Finals. Kennett finished third in both 2021 and 2022, before earning a runner-up finish this year.