Kelly blanks Sikeston, 17-0

SIKESTON -- Sikeston's softball team hosted the area's most dominant softball team on Wednesday, falling to Kelly 17-0 in five innings.

"We didn't get the bat on the ball like we should," said Sikeston coach Jenny Hobeck. "We didn't have as many errors as we had yesterday, but we just couldn't get on base."

Kelly plated two runs in the first inning, then opened things up with five in the third, four in the fourth and six in the fifth.

Dana Essner pitched all five innings for the Lady Hawks, allowing two hits and no walks with eight strikeouts.

"Essner did pretty well, and Kelly's defense communicates very well," said Hobeck. "They know where the ball is going and they're moving at all times."

Sikeston's hits came from Barbara Hobbs and Julie Annesser. "I thought the team did a real good job," said Kelly coach Melanie Heuring. "Dana did real well on the mound, and everybody in the lineup hit the ball."

Sophomore Kayla Crocker pitched 4 1/3 innings for the Lady Bulldogs, allowing 12 hits, three walks, and 13 of Kelly's 17 runs. Jessica Owens threw the final 2/3 of a inning, giving up four runs and two hits with one strikeout.

"It took us a little while to adjust to (Crocker)," said Heuring. "Having just played East Prairie made it a little easier to hit off her today."

Allison Johnson paced Kelly's offense, batting 2-for-3 with two RBIs. The Lady Hawks also saw hits from Monica Senciboy, Dana Essner, Bridgett Riley, Andrea Kluesner, Sarah Essner, and Chrissy Kluesner.

Kelly (3-0) will host Jackson today at 4 p.m. Sikeston (1-6) will travel to East Prairie today.