Lady Hawks seek title

~Kelly to take on defending state-champion Palmyra in semifinals Friday afternoon

BENTON- "Do it to 'em again Lady Hawks!" The only chant you'll hear from the bench of the Kelly Lady Hawks is the same chant you'll hear before every game.

This same chant has been shouted before every single one of their 20 wins this season, and it will be sounded again Friday afternoon around 1:30 p.m. at the Rainbow Softball Center in Columbia as the Lady Hawks take to the field in hopes of a 2007 state title.

"We're in the top four teams in Missouri," head coach Rhonda Ratledge said. "I'm proud of our girls. They've stood behind each other the entire season."

"If the top of our lineup was down, the bottom was up," she added.

"But, if the bottom was down, the top was doing well. With our young team, I didn't know what to expect at the beginning of the season."

Ratledge went on to add that she's glad she has the young team so she has something to look forward to next season.

When asked about a turning point in the season, towards a playoff push, Ratledge didn't hesitate a moment.

"We had two really good tournaments," she said. "We went 3-1 at the Notre Dame tournament, and 3-1 at the Jackson Invitational. Then we went on to defeat Jackson in the last game of the season. That gave us a big boost towards districts."

Kelly's run has been helped along in part by their only senior Sarah Ruff, whom Ratledge called "among the best outfielders in Missouri."

Ruff compiled 86 at-bats, with seven walks, 25 runs, 33 hits, with 24 singles, five doubles, one triple and three home runs. She has recorded 23 stolen bases and 16 RBI while batting .384 heading into Friday's match up against Palmyra.

"Sarah's a smart runner, and has a good stick," she said. "She can challenge teams on offense and defense."

"For her to be All-State as a junior, I was afraid it would put a little pressure on her this year," she added. "But, she handled it well."

Ruff is just one of several Lady Hawks to make the All-District team. Other players named were Jessica Riley, Brittany Brantley, Katee Moore, Londyn Backfisch, Casey Kern and to the second team, Heather Beggs and Haley Glastetter.

Ruff, Moore, Backfisch and Kern were also selected to the All-Conference team. Brantley was named to second team.

Heading into Friday's match-up Ratledge said she doesn't know much about Palmyra other than the fact that they won the state title last season.

"I know they have a good pitcher," she said. "She started last season as a freshman. She's pretty tough."

The Lady Hawks return five starters from last season's playoff squad in Ruff, Moore, Backfisch, Kern and Flahardy. Also making the trip were Brantley and Lana Whitworth.

The Lady Hawks (20-6) will battle it out with Palmyra (24-2) on Friday afternoon in Columbia for a spot in Saturday's championship game.

Friday's game is set for 1:30 p.m., with the winner playing in Saturday at noon and the runner-up heading to the consolation game at 5 p.m. All games will be played at Cosmo Park at the Rainbow Softball Center.