Tribe run-rules Hayti Indians

HAYTI, Mo. -- The Kennett Indians baseball team scored a season-high 11 runs on its way to a convincing 11-1 win against the Hayti Indians Monday afternoon.

Kennett, which improved to 3-1 on the season and 1-0 in regular-season Bootheel Conference play with the win, never trailed in the five-inning contest.

"Up and down the lineup guys had better at-bats today," Kennett coach Aaron New said of his team's offensive performance. "When you get on top it always makes it a little bit easier."

Kennett's Tyson Campbell, Ryan Pullin, Adam Grantham, Collin Smith and Kevonte Mitchell each recorded at least one RBI. Smith calculated a team-high three RBI and Grantham had two RBI.

Six Kennett hitters combined for nine hits. Daniel Lockhert, Smith and Grantham picked up two hits each.

"Early it has kind of come from certain parts of the order," New said. "Today I thought guys up and down the order got more hits in clutch time, but also took better swings at it. I was a little bit more pleased with our team as a whole on offense."

Kennett's Mitchell picked up the win on the mound, allowing one run in one inning pitched. Mitchell struck out three Hayti batters in the bottom of the first. Hayti's Deriek Thomas drew a leadoff walk in the inning and eventually scored from third on a wild pitch.

"Mitchell struck out three in the first inning," New said. "That was a good start for him on the mound."

Pullin pitched the remainder of the game for Kennett, striking out four.

"Ryan struggled a little bit throwing strikes in his first outing," New said. "Today he came in and threw quite a few strikes. He was out of trouble for most of the game. He took a step forward today."

Hayti picked up its only two hits in the bottom of the fifth when Trey Bell and Hunter Crocker recorded back-to-back singles.

"We haven't seen a lot of live arms," Hayti coach Tim Linhart said. "That's just going to come from reps. The more we get to play the better we are going to hit."

"They finally relaxed and thit the baseball," Linhart said of the fifth inning. "When we relax we will be OK. Right now we've got too many jitters."

Pullin struck out Hayti's final two hitters in the fifth to seal the 10-run win.

Hayti's Draike Barnett took the loss of the mound, allowing 10 runs in four innings of work. Barnett surrendered eight hits and struck out four.

Hayti's Alex Brandon pitched the fifth inning. Brandon allowed one run, one hit and struck out one.

"I was really pleased with our pitching," Linhart said. "Alex kept the ball down well. If you are going to miss with these bats, you need to miss down. Drake fought it today. He's been my No. 1 for two years now. He struggled today, but I give him credit because he was throwing better in the third and the fourth than he did the second."

Hayti is back in action Tuesday when it travels to Risco. Hayti will also host Senath-Hornersville Thursday.

Kennett is off until Friday when it hosts Notre Dame.

"The biggest game of the year for us," New said of Friday's contest against Class 3 district rival Notre Dame. "Hopefully we will put together our best game of the year and get a district-conference win on Friday."

Kennett 11, Hayti 1

Kennett 415 01 - 11

Hayti 100 00 - 1

WP -- Kevonte Mitchell. LP -- Draike Barnett. 2B -- Adam Grantham (K), Daniel Lockhert (K), Collin Smith (K). Multiple Hits -- Kennett: Grantham 2-4, Lockhert 2-3, Smith 2-2.