Braves hold off Advance; Garner advances

Scott Central's Dustin Johnson

SIKESTON -- The Scott County Central Braves pounced on the Advance Hornets early and was able to hold on for the slim 4-3 victory on Wednesday.

The Braves (9-3) pushed across all four of their runs in the bottom of the first inning. They then relied on Dustin Johnson and Ben Freed to keep the Hornets at bay in an important district game.

Johnson, who got the start for Scott Central, went five innings and allowed two runs on four hits. Johnson, who led the Braves with two hits, also struck out five in his winning effort. Freed picked up the two inning save allowing one run on two hits while striking out three.

Doing the most damage against the Braves was Advances' Grant Gray. Gray had two of the Hornets' six hits which were both home runs. He hit a 2-run home run in the fifth and then a solo shot in the seventh. Dylan Dunnivan added two hits and a double for Advance as well.

Scott Central will head to Oak Ridge today to take on the Blue Jays at 4 p.m.

WP -- Dustin Johnson. LP -- Grant Gray. S -- Ben Freed. 2B -- (A) Dylan Dunnivan. HR -- (A) Gray 2.

Jackson 11, Kelly 1

BENTON -- The Kelly Hawks dropped an 11-1 game to the Jackson Indians on Wednesday.

Aaron Grainger led Kelly at the plate with two hits while Jackson pounded out 16 hits as a team.

Kelly (4-11) will head to Notre Dame today at 4 p.m. to take on the Bulldogs.

WP -- Zach McDowell. LP -- Ian Householder. 2B -- (J) Bobby Clark 2, Clayton Baker, Laban Petzoldt. 3B -- (J) Alex Bolen.

GOLF

Class 2 Sectional 1

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- With a strong showing at sectionals on Wednesday, Kelly freshman golfer Derrick Garner has secured his spot in the Class 2 State Championship Tournament.

Playing at the Cape Girdardeau Country Club in the Class 2, Sectional 1 Tournament, Rucker tied for 11th place in the 43 player event, shooting +13 on the par 70 course.

He moves on to the state championship taking place May 16th and 17th at Rivercut Golf Course in Springfield.

Kelly's other golfer competing in sectionals, Dilan Rucker, finished 40th with a +37.