Two of the last three seasons, Olathe Northwest hopped on ace Jacinda Ramos' shoulders and rolled to the Kansas 6A state softball championship. But with Ramos now twirling for UMKC, it is up to Maddie Lovksy and Kelsey Wright to carry the load from the circle for the Ravens. So far, so good for Wright, a sophomore, who is 3-0 already and also has been crushing the ball at the plate. Wright is 14 for 18 with three doubles, three triples, seven stolen bases and 16 runs scored in the season's first six games
Olathe East pitchers Jenni Brooks and Allison Stewart were phenomenal as the Hawks opened the season with a 10-0, five-inning win and a 15-0, four-inning victory against Shawnee Mission North. Brooks and Stewart each recorded no-hitters and struck out 11 batters for the defending Sunflower League champions. Both also delivered four hits and four RBIs at the plate.
(End KC Star Info)
Around the State:
A year ago, Girard cruised through the regular season undefeated on its way to the state tournament in 4A. This season, they already have four losses to their credit including last night’s double run rule beating at the hands of 3A Frontenac who appears to be on the way to that state tournament. Frontenac may get some competition from SE Cherokee which swept Galena last night also.
From the Abilene Reflector:
ST. GEORGE ? Player wise it has been a tough start for the Abilene softball teams. Three players?Carly Gassman, Hailey Devine and Kurstin Guy?have been sidelined for one reason or another.
Sunday the Cowgirls lost Alise Murray, the North Central Kansas League’s leading returning pitcher and one of the top hitters.
“She is more than likely done pitching for the year and not suppose to play to two weeks,” said Abilene coach Don Nebelsick. “Like I told the girls, she’s just one player. She was an awful good one but we still have to go on.”
From the Parsons Sun:
Labette County High School softball improved to 8-0 overall and 6-0 within the Southeast Kansas League with a pair of impressive victories over Columbus High School (4-3 overall, 2-2 SEK). The Grizzlies won 11-1 and 11-0 while allowing only three hits and producing 21 of their own. We might add pitcher Allie Reynolds has been more than stellar on the mound with several shutouts Goddard Split: Expected to struggle with the split into two schools after their third place finish in 6A a year ago, both schools opened with big double header wins on the small diamond. Old School Goddard defeated Hutchinson in a pair of high scoring wins, while Eisenhower surprised Salina South 4-3 and 3-1 in their home opener.
Morgan Swisher is 4-0 after McPherson defeated Newton in a pair of run rule games this week. Their drop to 4A while maintaining their usual schedule makes it a tough climb for them, but if Swisher continues to pitch well, they may be in the running to contend for a state berth.
Bishop Carroll moved out of the City League last night at Ark City taking on the Bulldogs and Maize South. In such, the Golden Eagles suffered their second loss of the season to a team out of the Maize School District via a 6-3 count.
In Class 4A, Holton, Abilene, Girard, Andale, Mulvane, have all suffered early losses, with Maize South, Paola, Basehor, Wamego, DeSoto and Pratt looking good so far.
Feel free to comment on who you think looks good so far.
Posted on 4/6 11:13 AM | IP: 68.103.248.20
Have seen Maize South, Mulvane, BC and Maize so far this year. All have strengths and weaknesses that should get better as year goes on. MS has good team speed and solid pitching - D will get tested I think at some point when they play a team with speed. Mulvane is similar to MS with maybe less hitting and speed but better D. BC has good pitching but limited team speed and struggles to mfg runs. Maize has good speed and will score lots of runs - but D and pitching will be challenged. Would like to see Andale soon - but I suspect all of these Wichita area teams will challenge for state even with thier issues. Hopefully the girls and the coaches will fix the issues and we can come away with 4a, 5a and 6a state champions from the area. I see lots of summer ball and I will tell you that the South Central area produces more than its share of A and Gold level talent - testament to the girls, parents and coaches involved.
Posted on 4/6 12:26 PM | IP: 192.206.89.4
Had to go back and look at this string - because I distinctly recalled saying Maize South would be tested by someone with speed...and that is exactly what happened in Andale tonight. Andale tested MS ability to handle small ball - which they did not - and capitalized with timely hitting. By the way - had to tell Kelsey Harlow after the game that a new book needs written - can't pitch her away now. Had an excellent night going oppo.
I have to think these two meet again - no offense McPherson - and should be good game. I think MS goes away and after emotions settle have to think giving up 10 runs to Andale on the night and Eck only having 7Ks would have been a recipe for at least a split. Andale just keeps being Andale - they are the team to beat in 4A.
5/3 8:53 PM | IP: Logged
Maize South will not beat Andale's Eck in regional.
This post was edited on 5/8 9:14 PM by NickersonKS
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