The Kingsville Lady Tigers, who are from this area, had a good run, as they brought home the second place plaque from the Class 1 Girls Spring State Softball Tournament.

The Kingsville Girls had to really battle, just to get out of the District 8 Tournament. The number 1 seeded Lady Tigers earned a first round bye, and they then knocked off number 8 seed St Paul in a 9-7 slugfest. They then had to face the two time defending State Champion Concordia Lady Orioles ,who were the number 4 seed. This game looked to be a good one, and it was, as Kingsville squeaked out a 5-4 win, and advanced to the District Title match up. The District Championship game was another nail biter, as the Lady Tigers shut out number 2 seeded Crest Ridge 2-0, to win the District and advance to the State Tournament. On May 19, Kingsville beat the Sweet Springs Lady Greyhounds 5-4 in a State Quarterfinal game to earn a spot in the State Final Four. Sweet Springs was the District 7 Champion, beating Northwest of Hughesville 5-4 in the District Championship game.

The State Final Four was played at the Killian Sports Complex in Springfield on May 25 and 26. Kingsville faced Purdy in a State semi final matchup, and it was a pitcher’s duel for the ages. Neither team could score through 8 innings, and Kingsville finally pushed a run across in the bottom of the ninth to win 1-0. Kinsey Scrutchfield was the winning pitcher for Kingsville, as she went all 9 innings, allowing 0 runs on 5 hits while striking out 18 hitters and walking only 1. Gabriela Groomer was equally as effective for Purdy, as she allowed only the 1 run on 3 hits with 16 strikeouts and 3 walks over 8 2/3 innings. Jovie Scrutchfield, Kylie Stout, and Brooke Dykzeul had the three hits for the Lady Tigers.

The Class 1 State Championship game was the next day, as Kingsville faced the Oak Ridge Lady Blue Jays, and it was also a pitcher’s duel. As was the case the day before, Kingsville could muster only 1 run, as Kinsey Scrutchfield singled home Kylie Stout, who had also singled, in the seventh inning and these were the only 2 hits that Kingsville would collect in the game. Oak Ridge tallied a run in the top of the third inning, and then added 2 more in the sixth, to take a 3-0 lead. Emily Hobeck had 2 hits to lead the Oak Ridge offense, while Kaelyn Deckerd, Haley Hahs and Shannon Long each drove in a run. Deckerd, who took a perfect game into the seventh inning, allowed only 1 run on 2 hits, while striking out 14 and not walking anyone. Kinsey Scrutchfield suffered the loss for Kingsville giving up 3 runs on 5 hits, with 13 strikeouts and 2 walks.

Oak Ridge had advanced to the Championship game, with an 8-3 victory over Plato on the preceding day. Purdy finished third in Class 1, with a 6-1 win over Plato.

Oak Ridge finished the season with a 27-0 record, while Kingsville wound up at 16-5-1.

Skyline of Urbana was the Class 2 State Softball Champion, as they did not give up a run in either of their two Final Four games. Skyline topped Mt.Vernon 1-0 in a semi final contest, and then shut out Kennett 3-0 in the State Championship game. Kennett had beaten Thayer 6-0 in the other semi final.

Makenna Shockley, the Skyline pitcher, was definitely the MVP in the Final Four, as she pitched two complete 7 inning games, allowing 0 runs, on 6 hits with 14 strikeouts and no walks, in the two games combined. In fact, Skyline pitchers recorded a total of 22 shutouts for the season. Skyline finished the season with a record of 31-1, while Kennett was 30-7. Mt Vernon beat Thayer 16-1 in the Class 2 Third Place game.

The Missouri State High School Activities Association recognizes both a Fall and a Spring Softball season, with a State Playoff series in both. There are quite a few more Missouri High Schools that play Softball in the Fall, than there are in the Spring.