MOKANE - South Callaway Bulldogs junior starter Graysan Peneston played with resilience.
Peneston allowed just one run in a complete-game effort and also drove in three runs with a pair of hits as state-ranked South Callaway overpowered the Palmyra Panthers 10-1 in a Class 3 sectional Monday night.
"He was gritty today," Bulldogs head coach Heath Lepper said of Peneston. "He had some guys on throughout the game and he pitched out of those jams.
"That's what we've come to expect out of him - he's a good ballplayer."
South Callaway (24-5) - ranked sixth in the state - will remain at home for a Class 3 quarterfinal confrontation with the Lutheran St. Charles Cougars at 5 p.m. Wednesday. Lutheran St. Charles (21-5) blanked Lutheran North 8-0 in sectional play Monday.
The Bulldogs will be looking to avenge a 15-11 loss to the Cougars in last year's Class 3 quarterfinals.
"They're a good ballclub," Lepper said. "They're well-coached, they come out aggressive on the offensive side, they put the ball in play and make plays on defense.
"You have to be careful this time of year. Everyone shows up to win."
South Callaway struck quickly against Palmyra, tallying two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Sophomore center fielder Kaden Helsel led off with a single to right and advanced to second on freshman shortstop Peyton Leeper's single to center.
The Bulldogs then executed a double steal and Leeper scored on Peneston's groundout. Sophomore third baseman Dylan Lepper followed with a sacrifice fly to right, bringing home Leeper.
South Callaway took control in the second, piling on five runs and stretching its advantage to 7-0. Senior first baseman Ryan Edler drew a leadoff walk and raced all the way to third when senior catcher Cameron Richardson was safe on an error.
Sophomore Dalton Stone came in for Richardson as a courtesy runner and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by freshman second baseman Drake Davidson. Freshman designated hitter Tyklen Salmons' single to left scored Edler and moved Stone to third.
After Helsel reached on a bunt single to load the bases, Richardson scored on an infield single by Leeper and Peneston knocked in Salmons with a single to center to make it 5-0. Sophomore Josh Johnson entered the game as a courtesy runner for Peneston.
After a pitching change by Palmyra, Dylan Lepper smacked a single to center to score Helsel. Leeper capped off the Bulldogs' scoring when he came home on a fielder's choice by senior left fielder Dillon Stone.
South Callaway's outburst had a calming effect on Peneston (7-1), who gave up eight hits, issued two walks and struck out one.
"I'd say it relaxed him better, if anything," Heath Lepper said. "I don't think he was looking past that inning. He did a great job of taking it one pitch at a time, but most pitchers throw a little better when they have a little cushion there."
South Callaway tacked on another run in the third and scored its final two runs in the sixth. Palmyra (20-7) - which also bowed to the Bulldogs in last year's sectionals - tallied its lone run in the fifth.
Peneston finished 2-for-4 as the Bulldogs collected 11 hits. Helsel was 3-for-3 with an RBI and three runs scored, while Leeper went 2-for-3 with an RBI and scored three times. Salmons finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
Ryan Shiner can be reached at (573) 826-2423, or by email at [email protected].