Kelley Solid On Mound

SPRINGDALE -- The 68 Inside Sports Cavaliers put together a four-run second inning and right-hander Casey Kelley did the rest in their Hawg Baseball Showcase game Thursday at the Tyson Sports Complex.

Kelley shook off a slow start to throw a complete game to help the Cavaliers to a 7-1 win as they improved to 4-0 in the 17- and 18-year-old division.

Kelley, who will be a senior at Shawnee Mission (Kan.) Northwest in the fall, allowed three hits and a run in the top of the first, but slammed the door after that. He allowed only three singles the rest of the way.

Cavaliers coach John Urick said Kelley has been consistent on the mound during the summer, but he was outstanding on Thursday.

"He's got three quality pitches and usually sits in the mid-80s with his fastball," Urick said. "His change-up was really good today and he was getting his breaking ball over for strikes. When anybody does that, they are going to have a chance to keep hitters off balance."

Kelley allowed a run on six hits, struck out seven and did not walk a batter.

Yard Dawgs coach Mike Stephens agreed Kelley was the difference in the game.

"He threw three pitches for strikes," said Stephens, whose team dropped to 2-2 in the showcase. "And he got stronger in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. We had him sitting at 86 and 88 there a time or two. He was very good. He had a good change-up."

The Overland Park, Kan.-based Cavaliers backed Kelley with four runs in the second on just two hits, but they took advantage of three walks. Nick Wilson provided a run-scoring single, while catcher Frankie Burdolski and second baseman Mitchell Rogers added sacrifice flies for a 4-1 lead.

First baseman Alex Van Pelt, a Wichita State signee, went 2-for-2 with a single, a double, a walk and two runs scored to lead the Cavaliers offense.

Urick said his team, which includes several who will play college baseball in the fall, is hoping to play in Baum Stadium in Fayetteville on Sunday in the championship round.

"We competed and did what we needed to do today, played good defense," Urick said. We put up a four-spot there, then came back with three. We coasted a little bit there, but at the same time their pitcher came in and did a good job.

"Playing at Baum would be a treat for these guys. We have a veteran team with eight seniors who just graduated, so they have an idea about how to play."

Ben Olsen led the Yard Dawgs, who have several area players, with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate. Caleb Gray drove in the Yard Dawgs' only run in the first with a double, but he was thrown out trying to stretch it into a triple.

The Yard Dawgs, which includes several players from the area, did have a player with more than one hit.