Posts Tagged ‘Prep softball’
‘It’s the best feeling in the entire world’: Highland wins Class 2 state softball championship
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Highland softball program’s 2005 state championship trophy finally has company. The Cougars bested Mid-Buchanan 4-1 Saturday at the Killian Softball Complex to capture the Class 2 state title. “I’m still trying to process it,” Cougars coach Paul Scifres said. “Hard to believe, pretty surreal.” Cougars pitcher Abby Lay retired the Dragons…
Read MoreLundberg’s headfirst slide across home plate earns Highland spot in state softball title game
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A headfirst slide, a cloud of dust and a trip to the state championship game. With two outs in the top of the eighth in Friday’s Class 2 state softball semifinal at the Killian Softabll Complex, Highland’s Ali Lundberg scored on a passed ball to give the Cougars a 2-1 lead over…
Read MoreRecipe for success: Cougars’ explosive offense, Lay’s pitching and hearty breakfast casserole add up to state final four berth
LEWISTOWN, Mo. — If he were in the other dugout, Paul Scifres would not welcome the thought of facing the Highland softball team right now. He would welcome some of his wife Kendra’s breakfast casserole before a state championship game, though. In his 18th season as the Highland coach, Paul Scifres has guided the Cougars…
Read MoreFirst-inning runs give Cougars momentum as victory over Bulldogs earns final four berth
BETHANY, Mo. — The moment wasn’t too big for the Highland softball team. Their venture to the final four won’t be, either. The Cougars handled South Harrison 9-0 in Saturday’s Class 2 quarterfinal at Memorial Park. “They came out determined, focused and put out a great outing and a phenomenal performance,” Cougars coach Paul Scifres…
Read MoreHighland’s district softball championship just as grand as Rothweiler’s slam that powered it
LEWISTOWN, Mo. — A home run trot? Not so much. A home run sprint? That’s more like it. Keera Rothweiler wanted to get to home plate as quickly as she could to celebrate with her teammates after her grand slam in the first inning of Highland’s 15-0 victory over Monroe City in the Class 2…
Read More‘It was just a rush of energy’: Miller’s groundout plates Hays as Monroe City walks off with district semifinal victory
LEWISTOWN, Mo. — Makenna Miller had to put the ball in play. By doing so, she sent the Monroe City softball team to the Class 2 District 5 championship game in the process. The Panthers junior third baseman strode to the plate with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning of Thursday’s district…
Read More‘We’ve got a good thing going’: Highland softball team rolls into district title game with momentum
LEWISTOWN, Mo. — Time will tell how long the Highland softball team’s postseason run lasts, but coach Paul Scifres believes the Cougars have something special brewing. Junior Abby Lay twirled a five-inning no-hitter and senior Haleigh Winter matched the school single-season home run record as the top-seeded Cougars rolled over fifth-seeded Clark County 13-0 Thursday…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Highland, Monroe City reach Class 2 District 5 softball championship game
To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. LEWISTOWN, Mo. — The top-seeded Highland softball team and second-seeded Monroe City will meet for the third time this season at 1 p.m. Saturday after earning their spots in the Class 2 District 5 championship game. Highland dispatched…
Read MoreSouth Shelby’s sixth-inning, two-out rally sets up district softball semifinal showdowns
EWING, Mo. — The third-seeded South Shelby softball team scored seven times with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning to rally for a 12-7 victory over Palmyra in Wednesday’s Class 2 District 5 quarterfinals at Highland High School. The Cardinals took the lead on Bella Cook’s two-run and punctuated the frame with…
Read MoreCougars manufacture three runs in sixth inning, beat Tigers to gain leg up in Lewis County rivalry
EWING, Mo. — For at least a few days, the Highland softball team will have bragging rights in Lewis County. A three-run sixth inning, along with some steady play defensively, enabled the Cougars to knock off Canton 3-1 Tuesday night in the first of two regular-season meetings between the Lewis County schools. The Tigers will…
Read MoreScoreboard for Tuesday, Sept. 17
Sweep keeps Blue Devils undefeated in WB6 play GALESBURG, Ill. — The Quincy High School volleyball team stayed undefeated in Western Big 6 Conference play Tuesday night with a sweep of Galesburg, winning 25-18, 25-18 at Thiel Gym. The Blue Devils are 9-2 overall and 5-0 in the WB6 ahead of Thursday’s showdown with Moline…
Read MoreMonroe City’s Youngblood carries on family legacy of creating havoc on softball diamonds
MONROE CITY, Mo. — The end of an era for the Monroe City softball program is coming soon. Panthers coach Melissa Chinn tries not to let that cross her mind. “It’s very sad to think about,” Chinn said. At the same time, she is grateful for having been able to coach each of the three…
Read MoreScoreboard for Monday, Sept. 16
MACOMB, Ill. — The Macomb boys and girls golf teams each took home Prairieland Conference crowns Monday afternoon at Macomb Country Club. The Bombers boys squad finished with a combined 316, 17 shots clear of Illini West in second. Brady Scalf carded a 76, one stroke ahead of Illini West’s Nick Bruns, to win the…
Read More‘I just wanted to play for him’: Ruffcorn, Tigers tough out win day after Birck’s death
CANTON, Mo. — Allie Ruffcorn wasn’t just pitching for the Canton softball team on Wednesday. She was pitching for Carson Birck. Birck, a 2020 Canton graduate and former Tigers baseball and basketball player, died Tuesday during a work-related accident. “I cried a lot during warmups,” Ruffcorn said. “I didn’t go to school today. I just…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Canton, Bowling Green softball teams square off
To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. CANTON, Mo. — Allie Ruffcorn’s complete-game effort carried the Canton softball team to an 8-3 victory over Bowling Green on Wednesday. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey took in the action and put together this photo gallery:
Read MoreScoreboard for Sept. 10: Tigers, Panthers pick up softball victories, Saukees win first volleyball match
Tigers roar back with offensive outburst WESTRAN, Mo. — The Canton softball team erased a three-run deficit by scoring four runs in the third inning and rolled to a 24-9 victory over Western on Tuesday. Chayse Uhlmeyer finished 4 for 5 with three RBIs, while Allie Ruffcorn and Kadence Taylor had two hits apiece. Panthers…
Read MoreHighland dispatches Monroe City in three innings in CCC opener on softball diamond
EWING, Mo. — Well, at least it was quick, but not necessarily painless. Highland dispatched Monroe City 15-0 in a Clarence Cannon Conference softball game Monday evening that was stopped in the bottom of the third inning by the mercy rule. Just how dominant was Highland? • The Cougars (6-3) were working on their fourth…
Read MoreScoreboard for Thursday, Sept. 5: Canton, Mark Twain earn softball victories, Hannibal nets NCMC win
Tigers fly past Eagles in home opener CANTON, Mo. — The Canton softball team made quick work of Knox County on Thursday. The Tigers scored 12 runs in the first inning of a 15-0 three-inning victory. Canton’s first six batters of the game reached base, and the Tigers took advantage of three errors and four…
Read MoreScoreboard for Wednesday, Sept. 4: Youngblood goes 4 for 4, Central wins again at Suns Classic
Youngblood powers Panthers to victory MONROE CITY, Mo. — Audri Youngblood went 4 for 4 with three doubles and a home run as the Monroe City softball team improved to 4-0 with a 16-6 victory over Mark Twain. Youngblood drove in five runs. Kauble and Foltz had two hits apiece for the Panthers. Boling had…
Read MoreScoreboard for Tuesday, Sept. 3: QHS girls tennis team finally plays, Highland with key softball win
Blue Devils finally open season, net first victory CHATHAM, Ill. — The Quincy High School girls tennis team had its first two regular-season events canceled, which meant Tuesday’s dual against Chatham Glenwood turned into the Blue Devils’ season opener and first victory with a 6-3 decision. The Blue Devils’ won three singles matches in tiebreakers,…
Read MoreRally comes too late for Pirates in NCMC loss to Hornets
HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal softball team refused to go down quietly. Trailing by six runs heading into the bottom of the seventh inning Monday against Fulton at the Veterans Sports Complex, the Pirates put together a rally. Kennedi Gibbons and Katelyn Mountain led off with back-to-back singles, with Gibbons scoring one out later on…
Read MoreSemifinal rally catapults Monroe City softball team to championship of Moberly Tournament
MOBERLY, Mo. — Never out of the fight. It’s a motto the Monroe City softball team may soon adopt. The Panthers trailed Owensville 7-0 after the first inning of Saturday’s semifinal matchup in the Moberly Tournament, but they responded with three runs in the top of the second inning and continued rallying for an 11-9…
Read MoreMissouri softball preview: Highland reloads, Monroe City rebuilds, Canton reenergizes
EWING, Mo. — The memory still lingers. Sure, the Highland softball team achieved quite a bit last fall, earning a No. 1 state ranking among Class 2 schools, winning 20 games in a row at one point and fashioning a 27-3 overall record. But how it all concluded still leaves a sour taste and ……
Read MoreQND’s Bunte realizes ‘I really love this place’ as she commits to Indianapolis softball program
QUINCY — As the recruiting process began to evolve, Caitlin Bunte realized there was more to think about than softball alone. “I looked past that at the beginning,” the Quincy Notre Dame softball standout said. “I was like, ‘I want to play softball. I want to find somewhere where I can step in and play.’…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Softball Player of the Year McKinley Lowe discusses Pleasant Hill’s historic season
PLEASANT HILL, Ill. — McKinley Lowe and the Pleasant Hill softball team made history this spring. Not only did the Wolves win 26 games, but they became the first team in school history to play for a sectional championship. A 1-0 loss to Illini Bluffs ended the incredible run, but Lowe set aside the pain…
Read More2024 Illinois all-area softball team: Mix of speed and power leads to incredible success
QUINCY — Speed and power. It could be used to describe both the offensive aptitude of the players comprising the all-area softball team and the ability of those in the pitcher’s circle. Of the 15 players selected, 10 hit .400 or better and two hit .500 or better. The pitchers were just as dominant as…
Read MoreFour Pleasant Hill players named to Class 1A all-state team; Central’s Miller, QND’s Bunte, two from Liberty also honored
QUINCY — Four players who helped the Pleasant Hill softball team reach a sectional championship game for the first time in school history recently received all-state honors. Senior pitcher McKinley Lowe and junior outfielder and pitcher Ava Wombles each made the Illinois Coaches Association Class 1A all-state first team. Lowe tossed three no-hitters and carried…
Read MoreWolves set bar high, create expectations for future softball players to chase
GLASFORD, Ill. — Ryan Lowe’s sunglasses hid his tears, but anyone listening could hear the angst in his voice. The Pleasant Hill softball coach couldn’t hold back the emotion as he addressed his team following the Wolves’ 1-0 loss to Illini Bluffs in the Class 1A Glasford Sectional title game on Saturday. “You’ve built something…
Read MoreBlue Devils struggle defensively in loss to Lancers in Class 4A regional championship game
BELLEVILLE, Ill. — When things began unraveling for the Quincy High School softball team, there was no chance of reeling it back in. The Blue Devils committed four errors and allowed seven unearned runs in the first two innings Saturday, leading to a 10-0 loss to top-seeded Belleville East in the championship game of the…
Read More‘We were so close’: Raiders unable to get final out before Spartans rally to win sectional semifinal
WILLIAMSVILLE, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame softball team went from utter delight to bitter disappointment in less than an inning. With it, the Raiders’ season hit its end. Morgan Zanger’s three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth gave QND a two-run lead in the Class 2A Williamsville Sectional semifinal against Stanford Olympia,…
Read MoreWolves end Ducks’ seventh-inning rally with play at plate to advance to sectional title game
GLASFORD, Ill. — As the runner came down the third-base line and the throw sailed in from right field with both destined to meet at home plate, Pleasant Hill softball coach Ryan Lowe momentarily held his breath. Most everyone else did, too. “Oh, my goodness,” Lowe said. “It was that way the whole game.” Kaitlyn…
Read MoreBlue Devils win first postseason game since 2012, ride confidence into regional title tilt
BELLEVILLE, Ill. — The confidence the Quincy High School softball team carried into the postseason enabled the Blue Devils to do something Wednesday night that hadn’t happened in a dozen years. It also affords them the chance to accomplish something that hasn’t happened since the Illinois High School Association went to the four-class system at…
Read MoreIndians hang tough with top-ranked Tigers, but fall in Class 1A sectional semifinals
GLASFORD, Ill. — When Payson Seymour coach Joe Fessler addressed his team after their 6-1 loss to Illini Bluffs in the Class 1A Glasford Sectional semifinal on Tuesday, there were some understandably disappointed faces. “Some of them had some tears in their eyes,” Fessler said. “I don’t think it was necessarily tears that we lost.…
Read MoreBunte, Raiders sidestep postseason nemesis to win Class 2A regional championship
BUFFALO, Ill. — Even the most seasoned competitor can feel the pressure when a postseason nemesis stares you in the face. So Quincy Notre Dame softball coach Eric Orne reminded junior ace Caitlin Bunte to just breathe as the Raiders headed into Saturday’s Class 2A regional championship game against Buffalo Tri-City. “I was telling Coach…
Read MoreBreakfast of champions: Sweet treats, hot bats carry Wolves to third regional title in four years
CAMP POINT, Ill. — The Pleasant Hill softball team received a special delivery on the way to Saturday morning’s Class 1A Camp Point Regional championship game. “The Fourth of July committee in Pleasant Hill was selling donuts at the four-way stop, and I guess they saw the bus getting ready and they said, ‘Stop by…
Read MoreChargers let lead slip away, fall to Turks in regional championship game
TREMONT, Ill. — The Illini West softball team’s start against Tremont on Saturday was everything the Chargers could have asked for, but a seven-run fourth inning led to a 9-7 victory for the Turks in the Class 2A Tremont Regional championship game. The Chargers scored five runs in the top of the second. Payton Downs…
Read MoreDefensive gem caps Hagerbaumer’s dominant pitching effort as Payson wins regional softball crown
BARRY, Ill. — As the ball came off Ava Heming’s bat, Payson Seymour softball coach Joe Fessler figured the tying run was headed for home. “I thought for sure it was hit into the outfield,” he said. Olivia Mock didn’t let that happen. The Indians second baseman and a leaping catch of Heming’s liner between…
Read MoreSpring postseason scoreboard: Regional title matchups set, soccer sectionals on tap
QUINCY — Here is a look at the schedule for regional play in Illinois in baseball, softball and girls soccer, as well as the Missouri district baseball tournaments: Illinois baseball Class 2A Pleasant Plains Sectional Wednesday, May 22 Game 1 — Winner North Mac Regional vs. Winner Pittsfield Regional, 4:30 p.m. Game 2 — Winner…
Read More‘I had to send her’: Miller’s heroics send Panthers to regional championship game on home field
CAMP POINT, Ill. — Karly Peters knew exactly what was on the line and exactly what to do. In the bottom of the seventh inning of Wednesday’s Class 1A regional semifinal, Peters stood on second base as Lauren Miller stepped to the plate with the bases loaded, two outs and the Camp Point Central softball…
Read MoreNot this time: Wolves get revenge on Mustangs, advance to regional championship game
CAMP POINT, Ill. — It was deja vu for the Pleasant Hill softball team ahead of their Class 1A Camp Point Regional semifinal game against Mendon Unity on Wednesday. The Wolves’ 2022 season ended in a 13-inning loss to Unity in the regional semifinals in Camp Point when Pleasant Hill was the No. 1 seed…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Pleasant Hill, Camp Point Central advance to regional softball championship
CAMP POINT, Ill. — The Camp Point Central softball team walked off with a 5-4 victory over Southeastern in Wednesday’s semifinals of the Class 1A Camp Point Regional, while top-seeded Pleasant Hill rolled to a 12-2 victory over Mendon Unity. The Panthers and Wolves will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday for the regional championship. Muddy…
Read MoreAbility to hit speed and spin allows Raiders to move on to regional championship game
BUFFALO, Ill. — The late-season schedule Quincy Notre Dame softball coach Eric Orne puts together is done by design. He wants the Raiders to see elite pitching so they’re prepared to face it in the postseason. The strategy paid off Tuesday. Second-seeded QND knocked out Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin, collecting nine hits with three doubles in…
Read MoreShutout enables QND seniors to walk away from final home game with ‘memory I’ll hold forever’
QUINCY — The seniors on the Quincy Notre Dame softball team celebrated Senior Night before Friday’s victory against Camp Point Central, but Saturday was their final game at The Backyard. That’s what made it such a bittersweet day. “It’s just a memory I’ll hold forever,” senior outfielder Marah Becks said. “This is just a place…
Read MoreRaiders wrap up WCC title as Stupavsky delivers senior at-bat, Bunte proves unhittable
QUINCY — Quincy Notre Dame softball coach Eric Orne implored catcher Payton Stupvasky to have a “senior at-bat.” She didn’t disappoint. With runners on second and third base in the fourth inning of a scoreless game Friday at The Backyard, Stupavsky drove a fly ball to right-center field that Camp Point Central’s Claire Huston caught,…
Read MoreAround the area: QHS tennis team with strong showing on first day of WB6 championships
GENESEO, Ill. — The Quincy High School boys tennis team positioned itself to claim the Western Big 6 Conference championship with a strong showing Friday. The Blue Devils lead the field with 12 team points, advancing two singles players and their No. 1 doubles team to Saturday’s semifinals. In singles play, third-seeded Trevor Nelson lost…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND, Camp Point Central square off in WCC softball battle
QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame softball team completed its pursuit of the West Central Conference championship on Friday, beating Camp Point Central 4-0 at The Backyard as Caitlin Bunte tossed a one-hitter with nine strikeouts. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent time behind home plate and put together this photo gallery:
Read MoreAround the area: Allison lifts Panthers to victory, Pirates’ offense rolls, Allen tosses shutout for Saukees
CAMP POINT, Ill. — Braizley Allison came through in the clutch. With two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning Tuesday and the Camp Point Central and Payson Seymour softball teams knotted at 8, Allison singled through the left side of the infield to drive in Anna Peters with what turned out to be…
Read MoreAround the area: Chargers walk off with victory, Titans’ Larson plates winning run, Panthers thrive on pair of homers
CARTHAGE, Ill — Wesley Robertson’s walk-off single was the exclamation point on the Illini West baseball team’s 6-5 victory over Lewistown-Valley-Cuba on Monday. With the game tied at 5 and one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, Carter Chapin reached on an error, and Colby Robertson singled to move the winning run to…
Read MoreLowe outduels Bunte, Sidwell delivers go-ahead double as Wolves beat Raiders in extra innings
QUINCY — Maddie Sidwell won the deciding battle, and the Pleasant Hill softball team won the war. Sidwell’s bases-clearing double with two outs in the top of the eighth inning broke a 2-2 tie and propelled the Wolves to a 5-2 win over Quincy Notre Dame in the QND Softball Slam at The Backyard on…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Competitive games highlight QND softball slam at The Backyard
QUINCY — The rain stayed away Saturday, which led to a competitive day of softball at The Backyard as four area teams took part in the Quincy Notre Dame softball slam. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey spent time at The Backyard and put together this photo gallery:
Read MoreAround the area: Hlubek belts three homers to lead Blue Devils past Chargers
QUINCY — Avary Hlubek could not and would not be denied. The sophomore center fielder hit home runs in the second, fourth and fifth innings of the Quincy High School softball team’s 12-4 victory over Illini West on Friday. Her second inning home run came just three batters after Carlee Gilker hit a two-run home…
Read MoreRaiders unable to connect against Warriors’ Gilman, suffer second loss of season
QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame softball team’s overstuffed week isn’t expected to get any easier, not with a couple of rivalry games on tap. It sure can’t get much more difficult than facing Audrey Gilman. The Hardin Calhoun junior right-hander mowed down the Raiders, holding them hitless until the fifth inning and striking out…
Read MoreWalk it off, walk it off: Allison’s two-run single finishes off Galesburg as QHS wins third straight
QUINCY — Aurora Allison didn’t realize what she had done. Her single to center field with one out in the sixth inning drove in a pair of runs as the Quincy High School softball team walked off with a 14-4 victory Monday over Galesburg in Western Big 6 Conference play. Allison, the senior first baseman,…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QHS softball team completes season sweep of Galesburg
QUINCY — On a night when the Quincy High School softball team celebrated its three seniors, one of them provided the exclamation point on a 14-4 victory over Galesburg in Western Big 6 Conference action at the QHS field. Aurora Allison’s one-out single in the bottom of the sixth inning Monday drove in two runs,…
Read MoreAround the area: Pirates win sixth straight, Lowe tosses another shutout, Mustangs score early
FULTON, Mo. — Alaina Power and Maggie Routh each scored their first career goal as the Hannibal girls soccer team defeated Fulton 8-0 in a North Central Missouri Conference game. This is the Pirates’ sixth straight win and fourth consecutive shutout. Goalkeeper Ava Turner has notched 12 shutouts this season. Ashley Davis netted a hat…
Read MorePrairie State Profile: Lowe, Wombles leading Wolves on hunt for state title
PLEASANT HILL, Ill. — McKinley Lowe, Ava Wombles and the Pleasant Hill softball team are on quite a roll. The Wolves are 14-2 and are outscoring opponents by nearly six runs per game. The pitching staff, which consists of Lowe and Wombles, has recorded six shutouts and given up one run on four other occasions,…
Read More‘See ball, hit ball’: Simple approach with runners on base enables Raiders to pick up WCC victory
QUINCY — Alyssa Ley tried not to let any grand illusions cross her mind. Stepping to the plate with the bases loaded in the fifth inning of a one-run game, the Quincy Notre Dame softball team’s junior shortstop roped a double the opposite way to right field to drive in two runs. Lauren Miller followed…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND, West Hancock engage in key conference showdown at The Backyard
QUINCY — A four-run fifth inning that featured back-to-back run-scoring hits to the opposite field lifted the Quincy Notre Dame softball team to a 6-1 victory over West Hancock in a West Central Conference matchup Wednesday at The Backyard. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent some time at The Backyard and put together this…
Read MoreAround the area: Canton wins golf invite, Saukees’ Simon tosses one-hitter, Blue Devils belt four homers
LANCASTER, Mo. — One day after playing in a hail storm, Trevor Biggerstaff and the Canton boys golf team enjoyed teeing it up under a sun-splashed sky. The Tigers’ play mirrored the weather. Biggerstaff earned individual medalist honors by shooting a 1-under 71 and Canton won the team title with a 328 total Wednesday in…
Read MoreContagious behavior results in another victory for Bunte, Raiders and season sweep of Blue Devils
QUINCY — The word Caitlin Bunte sought to describe the manner in which the Quincy Notre Dame softball team is stringing victories together popped in her head in the middle of her answer. “Oh, contagious,” she said. “That’s it.” Winning is contagious. Hitting is contagious. Energy is contagious. “We have so many leaders who like…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND uses five-run inning to beat QHS in softball crosstown showdown
QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame softball players stayed patient at a pivotal juncture Monday night, drawing four consecutive walks to spark a five-run outburst in the third inning that carried them to a 7-1 victory over Quincy High School at the QHS field. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent the evening in center…
Read MoreAround the area: Lowe tosses second perfect game in last two weeks as Wolves continue to roll
PLEASANT HILL, Ill. — Dominant. Unhittable. Perfect. All of these adjectives describe McKinley Lowe’s performance for the Pleasant Hill softball team on Monday. Lowe tossed a perfect game and struck out 19 hitters in the Wolves’ 9-0 victory over Winchester West Central. This is Lowe’s second perfect game in the last two weeks. She also…
Read MoreProm is no distraction as Raiders take care of business in all facets against Crimsons
QUINCY — There wasn’t enough time for prom to become a distraction. Quincy Notre Dame softball coach Eric Orne hopes the post-prom letdown won’t be either. The Raiders needed a tidy 1 hour, 10 minutes to dispatch Jacksonville on Saturday morning, rolling to a 12-0 victory in five innings at The Backyard. It allowed enough…
Read More‘It was pretty impressive’: Panthers crank out 23 hits as offense never lets up against Crimsons
QUINCY — A roller coaster. That was the only way Camp Point Central softball coach Brey Genenbacher could describe the Panthers’ 19-9 victory over Jacksonville on Saturday at The Backyard. “Moments of greatness followed by some troubles,” Genenbacher said. The moments of greatness included 23 hits, six extra-base hits, runs in five consecutive innings to…
Read MoreAround the area: Blue Devils win another dual, Neupauer walks off with homer, Wolves stay energized offensively
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — The Quincy High School boys tennis team continues to pile up dual victories. Friday night’s effort against a traditional Western Big 6 Conference powerhouse is a sign of good things to come. The Blue Devils beat Moline 7-2 in a neutral-site dual, winning a pair of tiebreakers and getting solid play from…
Read MoreMiller’s first career home run propels Indians to West Central Conference victory over Panthers
PAYSON, Ill. — Relief. That was Hunter Miller’s overwhelming emotion as he rounded the bases for the first home run of his baseball career Wednesday. “It’s taken way too long,” Miller said. The sophomore’s two-run fourth-inning home run helped Payson Seymour secure a 9-6 West Central Conference victory over Camp Point Central. “I’ve been waiting…
Read MoreFreshman hurler tosses second straight one-hitter as Pittsfield softball team posts shutout victory
BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — Emma Wombles has been virtually unhittable of late. The Pittsfield softball team’s freshman right-hander tossed a one-hit shutout of Beardstown in Wednesday night’s 13-0 victory, giving her back-to-back one-hitters as part of the Saukees’ three-game win streak. Wombles has allowed only seven hits in her last 20 innings pitched. Against the Tigers,…
Read MoreAround the area: South Shelby golfers win invite, Liberty rallies, QND collects 17 hits, Lowe homers twice for Blue Devils
SHELBINA, Mo — Jaaron Durbin and Noah Wilt took advantage of their home course knowledge and shared medalist honors Wednesday as the South Shelby boys golf team won its own invitational at Lakeside Golf Course. The Cardinals shot a 310, while Palmyra was second at 333 and Canton third at 344. Durbin and Wilt each…
Read MoreCoaching cousins: Grandfather’s influence shines through in how Fesslers guide rival softball teams
LIBERTY, Ill. — Sara Reichert sees it as clearly as anyone. Her brother and her cousin share a common trait passed down through generations of the Fessler family. That’s their even-keel disposition. “Our grandparents were sports-loving fans,” said Reichert, the junior varsity softball coach at Liberty, where her first cousin B.J. Fessler is the varsity…
Read MoreRaiders bounce back from first loss of season, earn split in softball slam
TOLONO, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame softball team tasted adversity for the first time this season Saturday, and the response should bolster the Raiders. After losing 10-5 to Tolono Unity in the first of two games in a multi-team slam — it was the Raiders’ first loss of the season — QND came back…
Read MoreFly, Eagles, Fly: Liberty rides wind, momentum in beating Payson for fourth straight win
Sustained winds hovered around 25 miles per hour, and Liberty softball coach BJ Fessler made sure his team was prepared for the conditions.
Read MoreBright lights, softball city: QND cashes in on scoring opportunities, shuts out QHS
Editor’s Note: Technological issues resulted in losing all of our images taken during the game. We apologize there will be no photo gallery to accompany this story. QUINCY — It may not have been Friday night lights, but it was pretty darn close. When the Quincy Notre Dame and Quincy High School softball teams renewed…
Read MoreStorm warning: Budde’s first start ends in victory as Blue Devils make stellar defensive plays
QUINCY — A sun-splashed afternoon was a surprising setting for an unexpected Storm. Not even the Quincy High School softball player at the center of it saw it coming. When she arrived at the QHS field in advance of a Western Big 6 Conference matchup with Rock Island Alleman, junior Storm Budde learned she was…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QHS softball team earns WB6 victory over Alleman
QUINCY — The Quincy High School softball team found a way to manufacture a single run in four consecutive innings and junior right-hander Storm Budde made certain that was enough to secure a 4-2 victory over Rock Island Alleman on Tuesday in Western Big 6 Conference play at the QHS field. Muddy River Sports Editor…
Read MoreZanger first to wear home run chain as her solo shot sets stage for Raiders’ victory over Saukees
QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame softball team’s new home run chain didn’t quite fit over Morgan Zanger’s helmet after her solo shot in the first inning of Monday’s game against Pittsfield. “We did not think that part through,” Zanger said. She also didn’t know the ball had cleared The Backyard’s left-field fence. “Whenever they…
Read MoreLowe’s one-hitter features 17 strikeouts, Winchell doubles twice as Wolves pick up pair of victories
PIASA, Ill. — The Jerseyville softball players may have thought they’d have a chance to catch up to Pleasant Hill right-hander McKinley Lowe after Anna Kribs fouled off a pair of two-strike pitches before getting a single to left field with one out in the first inning. No one else made contact. Lowe orchestrated a…
Read MoreCentral baseball, softball teams rally to complete sweep of double-dip with Liberty
CAMP POINT, Ill. — Friday began and ended with late-inning heroics. First, Garrett Neisen stranded the tying run in scoring position as the Camp Point Central baseball team rallied from a four-run deficit to beat Liberty 5-4. Then, the Central softball team allowed Liberty to score five times in the top of the sixth inning…
Read MoreRaiders just bust a move to get offense rolling in home-opening victory against Eagles
QUINCY — One of Caitlin Bunte’s responsibilities, aside from being the Quincy Notre Dame softball team’s starting pitcher and leadoff hitter, is to choose the musical playlist that serves as the soundtrack for each game at The Backyard. She has four personally designed playlists at her disposal. “Stuff that gets me hyped, stuff that’s upbeat…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND, Liberty square off in Raiders’ home opener at The Backyard
QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame softball team had played one game this season prior to Thursday’s home opener, but it didn’t look like the Raiders were rusty at all. QND collected 17 hits in a 9-2 victory over Liberty at The Backyard. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman enjoyed a rare warm, sunny day…
Read MoreResilient Blue Devils rally to beat Rockets and take winning record into WB6 opener at Sterling
QUINCY — The resiliency the Quincy High School softball team was forced to demonstrate inning after inning Wednesday should be the attribute that gives the Blue Devils the chance to chase victories all season. Despite allowing five runs in the first inning and trailing as they came to bat in five of the first six…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Sixth-inning rally pushes QHS softball team past Rushville-Industry
QUINCY — The Quincy High School softball team scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take the lead and ultimately hold off Rushville-Industry for a 16-13 victory Wednesday at the QHS field. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat in center field and put together this photo gallery:
Read MoreGrabbing lead two batters into season opener allows QND softball team to roll
BOWEN, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame softball team gave Caitlin Bunte all the support she’d need before she ever stepped in the pitcher’s circle. The Raiders scored three runs in the top of the first inning Thursday and Bunte allowed just two hits as they opened the season with an 8-0 victory over Southeastern.…
Read MoreEpic inning leads to first victory for Liberty softball team
LIBERTY, Ill. — The inning that kept going and going and going ultimately ended with the Liberty softball team scoring enough runs to create a cushion the Eagles needed to withstand Rushville-Industry’s rally. The Eagles scored 12 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning Wednesday, only to see the Rockets come back with four…
Read MoreBundle of returning talent has QND softball players eyeing another deep postseason run
QUINCY — Brooke Boden hasn’t forgotten just how close the Quincy Notre Dame softball team came to winning a state trophy last season. “I’ll be sitting in class and I’ll be like, ‘Oh, man,’” the senior third baseman said. “I just look back on it and think, ‘Wow, we were there.’” The Raiders’ epic postseason…
Read MoreCanton’s state title defense hits snag with loss to La Plata in district championship game
La PLATA, Mo. — There will be no repeat of that state softball title Canton won a year ago. The Tigers were eliminated from the postseason Tuesday night, dropping a 6-4 decision to La Plata in the Class 1 District 5 championship game. But Canton went down swinging. The Tigers, who end the season 20-11,…
Read MoreBig first inning carries Bowling Green to district title victory over top-ranked Highland
SHELBINA, Mo. — By the time Megan Graver delivered her first pitch of the game, she already felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders. When the Bowling Green softball team’s diminutive right-hander walked to the pitcher’s circle in the bottom of the first inning, her teammates had already…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Captains of Highland softball team discuss No. 1 ranking, postseason chances
EWING, Mo. — The Highland softball team heads into the postseason as the No. 1-ranked team in Class 2, riding an 18-game win streak and backed by a record-setting offensive attack. The Cougars’ captains — Emma Harshberger, Olivia Ritterbusch and Haleigh Winter — joined Highland coach Paul Scifres on the tailgate of Muddy River Sports…
Read MoreMissouri prep notebook: Cougars extend win streak to 18, three qualify for state tennis tourney, Keller sets Monroe City record
EWING, Mo. — The No. 1-ranked softball team in Missouri Class 2 is charging into the postseason with a full head of steam. Highland finished its regular season Monday night with a 15-0 victory over Scotland County, putting a stamp on a 26-2 record. The Cougars have won 18 games in a row, and their…
Read MoreQHS softball program to hold ‘A Night Under the Lights’ fundraiser this Friday
QUINCY — The Quincy High School softball team is going to put on a show once the sun sets. The Blue Devils are holding a fundraiser from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday at the QHS softball field. The event, dubbed “A Night Under the Lights,” will benefit the QHS and QJHS softball programs with proceeds going to…
Read MoreShow Me Spotlight: Softball superhero is role Highland’s Harshberger continues to reprise
EWING, Mo. — Emma Harshberger and her Highland softball teammates found themselves in the crosshairs before the meat of their schedule began. The initial Missouri High School Fastpitch Coaches Association state rankings were released Sept. 11 with Highland topping the Class 2 poll. The Cougars have won five consecutive games since then, improving to 13-2…
Read MoreSoftball is in her Youngblood: Monroe City junior shortstop punctuates victory with home run
PALMYRA, Mo. — Audri Youngblood is a multi-sport standout at Monroe City High School. Youngblood plays basketball in the winter and runs track in the spring. In the fall, her focus is on softball. “Softball’s my favorite,” the junior shortstop said. On Thursday night, it was easy to see why. Youngblood strung together an impressive…
Read MoreHighland softball team uses extra effort to complete sweep and win Classic championship
COTTLEVILLE, Mo. — A pair of extra-inning victories Saturday enabled the Highland softball team to remain undefeated and capture the championship of the 13th annual Francis Howell Central Classic. The Cougars scored seven runs in the top of the eighth inning to score a 14-7 victory over Westminster Christian and followed it by scoring a…
Read MoreEight-run first inning propels Monroe City to victory in third-place game against Canton
MONROE CITY, Mo. — An eight-run outburst in the bottom of the first inning enabled the Monroe City softball team to put Canton on its heels and secure a 15-5, five-inning victory in the third-place game of Saturday’s 26th annual Monroe City Tournament. Monroe City went 2-1 overall, beating Hannibal 17-2 in the opener and…
Read MoreShow Me Spotlight: Canton’s Fisher authoring memorable career as three-sport athlete
CANTON, Mo. — Macie Fisher and the Canton softball players open the season with a target squarely on them. Not only are the Tigers the reigning Class 1 state champions, but with a wealth of talent and experience returning, they should be the team to beat in Northeast Missouri this fall. That means every opponent…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Action gets underway as Hannibal teams prepare for fall seasons
HANNIBAL, Mo. — A new year has begun. Award-winning freelance photographer Mathew Kirby spent Monday criss-crossing the Hannibal High School campus and venturing out to the Veterans Elementary sports complex as Hannibal teams opened fall practice. He even made it to Norwoods Golf Course for the girls golf team’s practice. Kirby put together this photo…
Read MoreQND’s Bunte, Pleasant Hill’s Lowe and Brown County’s Dunlap earn first-team all-state honors
QUINCY — Quincy Notre Dame sophomore Caitlin Bunte led a trio of area softball players who earned first-team all-state honors from the Illinois Coaches Association. Eight others received second- or third-team honors. Bunte, a left-handed pitcher and outfielder, was named to the Class 2A first team, while Pleasant Hill junior pitcher McKinley Lowe and Brown…
Read More‘No one quit’: QND softball team showcases resiliency before comeback ends in super-sectional loss
DECATUR, Ill. — The cardiac queens were at it agaIn. Facing a four-run deficit heading to the bottom of the fifth inning — the second time the Quincy Notre Dame softball team had trailed this deep in a game this postseason and the third straight game in which late-inning runs were needed to advance —…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND softball team showcases its resiliency during Class 2A super-sectional loss
DECATUR, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame softball team once again refused to go down without a fight. Trailing by three or more runs twice during Monday’s Class 2A Decatur Super-Sectional against Effingham St. Anthony, the Raiders rallied. They erased a three-run deficit in the first inning and nearly squashed a four-run deficit before the…
Read MoreAll Boden-s well for Raiders in extra innings of sectional championship victory
QUINCY — As she trotted toward home plate following a solo home run in the top of the ninth inning to put her team back in front, Brooke Boden wasn’t thinking she would have to be the hero again two innings later. “I was just ready to get our last out,” the Quincy Notre Dame…
Read MoreTigers use walk-off home run leading off seventh to end Wolves’ season
HAVANA, Ill. — One pitch, one swing, one sudden ending. Illini Bluffs catcher Lexi Brinkman jumped on the first pitch from Pleasant Hill’s McKinley Lowe in the bottom of the seventh inning Wednesday and smacked a walk-off home run to center field for a 4-3 victory in the semifinals of the Class 1A Havana softball…
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