Kennett Lady Indians, Lone Jack Lady Mules meet at state tourney

The Lady Indians softball squad (24-8) is loading the wagons for the warpath to the final four at Springfield.

The team is on tap to compete at the MSHSAA Class 2 State Tournament semifinals and is scheduled to face the Lone Jack High School Lady Mules at 11 a.m. Monday at the Killian Sports Complex.

Lady Indians softball head coach Logan Dollins said both he and the team are wildly stoked and aside from a bit of polishing, completely prepped.

Lone Jack High School Lady Mules celebrate the win that propelled the squad to MSHSAA Class 2 State Tournament semifinals. Photo provided.

“We're all thrilled,” Dollins said. “We've worked and we'll continue to do exactly that until game time Monday.

“We'll have a couple of practices and probably a machine scrimmage,” Dollins added. “We need to work on our bunt game. Other than that we just want to keep the momentum we have going now and not let that slack.”

The Kennett ladies definitely need that bit of extra steam when they approach an explosive Lone Jack bunch Monday. Lone Jack's AD Jordan Pannett really is confident about his crew since its displayed positive progress this season.

Kennett Lady Indians gather at the plate last April at Indian Park to celebrate pitcher Handley McAtee's grand slam home run. Photo by Steve Hankins

“They are very exciting,” Pannett said Friday, May 17. “We're a small team.

“We only have 12 members,” he continued. “So everybody is all hands on deck.”

And the quarterfinal win that propelled Lone Jack to the final four was a first in 10 years. The Lady Mules' last appearance at a semifinal match was more than two decades ago, in 2003.

Kennett Lady Indian Lauren Barton shows bunt at a regular season game at Holcomb. Photo by Steve Hankins

The team might lack bodies. But its weighted with pride and attitude, the AD said.

“They're a wonderful bunch of young ladies,” Pannett said. “I mean, no great issues.

“No discipline issues at all,” he added. “Just a happy group.”

Kennett Lady Indians softball head coach Logan Dollins, left, and Holcomb Lady Hornets softball head coach Matt Casper chat at a regular season matchup at Holcomb.Photo by Steve Hankins

The season's progress is undeniable, the AD explained. The Lady Mules are coming into Monday's semis off a five-game streak.

“We had a rocky start early in the season,” Pannett said. “But we've been really hot as of late.

“Progress is everything and we're peaking at just the right time,” he continued. “So I'm really excited about our matchup with Kennett.”

Kennett Lady Indians Emma Claire Bodkin at the dish at a regular season game at Indian Park. Photo by Steve Hankins

What sparked that progress might be of interest to Holcomb softball head coach Matt Casper. His girls are rolling and face a very talented team that laid waste to Lone Jack's head coach Aimee Meyer's kids.

“An 11-1 loss to Concordia I think kind of opened our kids' eyes on what we needed to do to be successful,” Pannett noted.

The Holcomb Lady Hornets face the Concordia High School Lady Orioles team at the Class 1 State Tournament Semifinals Monday, as well.

Lady Indians senior Kaydee Taylor is honored on Senior Night at Indian Park. Taylor continues her high school softball career at MSHSAA's Class 2 State Tournament at Springfield. Photo by Steve Hankins

The Kennett squad earlier this season enjoyed an 11-game winning streak and two five-game streaks on its way to the final four.

The team heads to the state semis coming off a big win against Central-Park Hills (20-8) 9-7 on Tuesday at Park Hills.

The Tribe posted 26 at bats against the Lady Rebels, scored nine runs on eight hits with eight RBIs, four of those off an Avery Payne center-field home run blast in the fourth inning that scored three, and an additional single that scored the fourth.

Kennett Lady Indians senior Hadley Wilson is escorted by loved ones on Senior Night at Indian Park. Wison continues her high-school softball career at MSHSAA's Class 2 State Tournament at Springfield.Photo by Steve Hankins

The Kennett team totaled five walks and two strikeouts at that contest.

Dollins said he plans to start Lady Indians pitching ace Handley McAtee in the circle, and noted his two graduating seniors are irreplaceable.

“Kaydee Taylor in right field and Hadley Wilson at first,” Dollins said. “You can't get players like them back.

A Lady Indian runner checks on her status at a regular season game at Indian Park. Photo by Steve Hankins Photo by Steve Hankins

“They both have served us well on the field and in leadership roles,” the head coach added. “They'll be missed. I'm really happy they get to continue their high school careers at the state playoffs.”

And McAtee will fire on all cylinders given the opportunity.

“She's commanded the strike zone all season,” Dollins said. “She just continues to improve and she's not afraid of anything.”

Kennett Lady Indians starting pitcher Handley McAtee at bat at the C2D1 Tournament at Malden. Photo by Steve Hankins

Dollins' confidence in his bullpen is equal to the Lone Jack AD's.

“Our pitching has been excellent,” Pannett said. “It has been most of the year.

“We've cleaned up our defense substantially,” the AD added. “We haven't made an error in the last seven games.”

Kennett Lady Indian and school RBI champ Hadley Wilson eyes the bat at the C2D1 Tournament at Malden. Photo by Steve Hankins

And offensively?

“Our dugout has been excellent,” Pannett emphasized. “We're putting balls in play and we're forcing teams in uncomfortable situations.

“So, the team I've seen the last five or six games is a totally different team from the start of the year.”

Kennett's Hadley Wilson prepares to bat at Malden.Photo by Steve Hankins

Dollins said he's working on a game plan and it should come together this weekend.

“We have to put together a full game, nine innings,” he said. “I don't know a whole lot about Lone Jack.

“But when we get to this level, there are just four teams left in our class and every one of them are good,” he added. “We'll have our work cut out for us. We have enormous depth, so any one of our girls are capable of big plays at key moments. We'll stretch out this week and we're eager for Monday to come.”