Shoddy defense haunts Kelly in 15-8 loss to Valle in Class 2

~ Kelly committed six errors and allowed 11 unearned runs in an eight-inning loss.

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- An old enemy cropped up and ruined Kelly's comeback bid Thursday in the Class 2 District 2 championship game at Perryville City Park.

A couple of defensive miscues opened the door for seven unearned runs in the eighth inning, as second-seeded Ste. Genevieve Valle Catholic topped the top-seeded Hawks 15-8.

"We've beaten ourselves as many times as people have beaten us this season by not making easy plays," Kelly coach Cory Johnson said. "We had a lot of trouble with that this year and it's cost us six or seven games, and it's probably a big reason we lost today."

The Hawks (14-11) made six errors and yielded 11 unearned runs on the day, including four of the eight runs Valle scored over the first three innings to build an 8-3 lead.

The Hawks battled back with one in the bottom of the third, two in the fourth and two in the sixth to tie the score.

Meanwhile, Kelly relief pitcher Dallas Tew had allowed one hit over the final three innings of regulation to keep the Hawks in the contest.

"That was big," Johnson said. "We still felt like we were going to make a run at them, and we did."

But Valle pitcher Kellen Bassler, who pitched a complete game despite yielding eight runs on eight hits (including three home runs) finished the game by retiring nine straight batters after Kelly had tied the score in the bottom of the sixth.

Meanwhile, Tew ran out of gas and Kelly's defensive miscues resurfaced at the most inopportune time.

Valle leadoff hitter Colby Schilly opened the top of the eighth with a walk. Scott Jokerst hit a groundball to shortstop Caleb Daughetee, who tossed to second baseman Stephen Strobel to start the double play. But Strobel dropped the ball, and despite a protest from Johnson about the force-out at second base, both runners were called safe. Bassler then hit a grounder to Daughetee, who went to third but was unable to retire the lead runner. Sean Odneal hit a sacrifice fly to put Valle ahead, they added another run on a single and eventually Nathan Grass broke the game open with a grand slam.

"Dallas maybe just ran out of gas a little bit and left some pitches up," Johnson said.

The Warriors (15-6) added another run with the help of another error to set the final score once Bassler retired Kelly in order in the eighth.

"We walked too many batters, and a couple of times we didn't make plays in the field that we needed to make," Johnson said. "We dug a hole early. We gave them opportunities and they took advantage."

Johnson, who has seen plenty of momentum-shifting games in his time as Kelly's basketball and baseball coach, witnessed a game of streaks Thursday.

After Valle scored two runs in the top of the first against Kelly starter Daughhetee, the Hawks came back with three runs in the home half.

Jordan Felter led off the inning with the first of his two home runs, then Jon Simpher blasted a two-run shot.

But Valle scored three more in the second, chasing Daughetee after 1 1/3 innings in which he gave up seven hits and five runs -- two earned. After a Valle baserunner drifted too far off third base for the second out, Kelly left fielder Dustin LeGrand prevented further damage with a diving catch in left field.

The Warriors scored three more -- two earned-- in the third against reliever Russell Carroll. All the runs scored with two outs.

Kelly's comeback began in the third with the help of a dropped fly ball that put Daughhetee on second base to start the inning. Simpher drove him home with a single.

In the fourth, Daughhetee provided the key hit -- a two-run, two-out single that drove in Strobel and Felter, who had accepted two of four walks in the inning. With two out and two on, Bassler worked a high fly out to center from Simpher.

The Hawks knotted the game in the sixth, when Felter homered after Strobel popped a fly ball into shallow right field that was not handled.

But Bassler went 1-2-3 through the heart of Kelly's lineup to close out the inning.

"He threw a heck of a ballgame coming off three days' rest," Johnson said of Bassler. "He hit his spots well. He was not overpowering, but he was a smart pitcher."

The Hawks had scored in double figures in its first two district games.

"The last three weeks, we've been hitting," Johnson said. "We didn't hit today one through nine like we had been the last few weeks."

After the game, Johnson talked to his entire team and then his eight seniors.

"I can't say enough about this group," Johnson said. "We had a lot of fun this year."

VALLE 15, KELLY 8

Valle 233 000 07 -- 15 15 2

Kelly 301 202 00 -- 8 8 6

WP -- Kellen Bassler; LP -- Dallas Tew. 2B -- Colby Schilly (V), Scott Jokerst (V); HR -- Jordan Felter (K) 2, Jon Simpher (K), Nathan Grass (V). Multiple hits -- Kelly, Felter 2-4, Caleb Daughhetee 2-4, Simpher 2-4; Valle, Schilly 2-4, Jokerst 2-5, Bassler 3-5, Sean Odneal 3-6, Josh Wipfler 2-5, Casey Keller 2-4. Records -- Valle 15-6, Kelly 14-11.