Ste. Gen’s Lincoln, Central’s Kelly Pitch Gems In Circle

By michael boyd jr.

mboydjr@stegenherald.com

The last time Ste. Genevieve faced off against Central ace, Allie Kelly, at Leon Jokerst Field, things did not go so well last April.

At least this time the host Dragons managed one hit off the Three Rivers Community College signee on a chilly Wednesday evening.

Kelly was as good as advertised  –  nine strikeouts to prove it  –  as she and the Park Hills-based Rebels shut out Ste. Genevieve 6-0 in Mineral Area Activities Association conference action.

Senior center fielder Izzy Basler broke up the no-hit attempt in the seventh inning with a chopper up the left side for a double. That would end of being the Dragons’ only hit, but it came just three outs shy of Kelly repeating the feat.

Ste. Genevieve (2-2, 1-1 MAAA as of press time) did receive four scattered walks along the way, but stranded five runners on base. Basler, Faith Lincoln and Maddie Terry (twice) each received free passes.

Basler’s double and a steal by Terry were the only times the Dragons reached second base.

“Offensively, Kelly did a good job against our hitters,” first-year Dragons head coach Rebecca Keim said. “However, we slowly made adjustments and our at-bats got better and better as the game went on, which is great to see.”

Ste. Genevieve freshman Ava Greer (0-2) suffered the complete-game loss, allowing six runs (two earned) on nine hits and a walk. She gave up a home run on her second pitch of the game by sophomore Kelsie Politte in what would prove to be the game-winning play.