Dunko high school sports programs head to state tourneys

Two Dunklin County sports programs are topics of conversations this week and rightfully so.

Both the Kennett Indians softball team (24-8) and the Holcomb Hornets softball squad (24-4) won their district tournaments and qualified for state final four status.

Holcomb plays at 4:30 p.m. today, Wednesday, May 15 at Advance with Bell City (20-2) in the state quarterfinals against a solid Advance-Bell City bunch.

The Holcomb Lady Hornets on the way to the State Quarterfinal round Wednesday against Advance with Bell City at Advance.Photo by Steve Hankins

The game was on the schedule for Tuesday, but was called because of inclement weather and rescheduled for Wednesday.

Kennett is slated to play Lone Jack (15-9) at 11 a.m. Monday, May 20, away at Lone Jack.

The Hornets won the Tri-County Conference Tournament in April by defeating Delta-Deering 28-1 and Risco 17-6.

Home run hitter Addi Elliott collects some love from senior shortstop Maleigh Lemings Tuesday at the Tri-County Conference championship game at Clarkton. Photo by Steve Hankins

The team went on earlier this month to compete in and win the MSHSAA Class 1 District 1 tourney by defeating Gideon 16-2 and squeaked past South Pem 10-9.

Kennett softball head coach Logan Dollins' team won the Bootheel Conference Tournament by defeating Malden 16-1 and edged Portageville 8-7.

The Lady Indians played three games to take home the MSHSAA Class 2 District 1 tournament first-place plaque by blanking Dexter 15-0, Malden 16-0 and East Prairie 11-1 at Malden.

Kennett's Baylee Wilcut slides in to third headfirst at a recent game at home.Photo by Steve Hankins

The Lady Indians traveled to Park Hills Tuesday to compete in the first round of the MSHSAA Class 2 State Tournament, where the team defeated Central-Park Hills (20-8) 9-7.

Dollins could not be more pleased with his team's season, nor its performance away Tuesday.

“I thought it was a quality win against a quality team,” Dollins said Wednesday. Our girls battled the entire game.

Kennett Lady Indian starting pitcher Handley McAtee in the circle at a recent tournament.Photo by Steve Hankins

“We swung it well, with a couple of clutch home runs and found ways to manufacture runs,” he added. “We threw it well against Park Hills and made plays defensively. We still have an inning or two that we have to stop damage from happening. But it's a testament to Central for being scrappy ball players and finding ways to get back in the game.”

Dollins said the team finished the game Indian strong.

“Overall, I'm proud of the way that our girls finished the game,” Dollins said. “It's always exciting to punch your ticket to the final four.”

Holcomb Lady Hornet lefty-hitter Lynnley Patterson connects at a recent tournament match.Photo by Steve Hankins