In a quarterfinal rematch on Saturday, Oct. 25, with Belton, the Kearney High School Softball team took the field with purpose and never looked back as they earned a berth to the state tournament. 

The Bulldogs broke the game open in the bottom of the second. Morgan Pennington singled to spark the rally, Kate Stumpenhaus bunted and reached on an error, and Chloe Garrett followed with a single to load the bases. Caroline Jury delivered the big swing, a two-run single that put Kearney on top. The inning kept rolling as Ellie Switzer reached on an error and Reese Narron lined an RBI single. With the bases still full, Brooke Paalhar drew a walk for another run, and Alyssa Quick added a fielder’s choice RBI. When the dust settled, it was 5–0 Bulldogs heading to the third.

Kearney added insurance in the fourth when Kennedi Casey ripped a triple down the right-field line. Paalhar singled her home, and Quick followed with a single that, combined with a misplay in left, brought in another run for 7–0.

From there, Kate Landewee slammed the door. She was lights-out in the circle—7 innings, 2 hits allowed, 14 strikeouts—with crisp defense behind her. Final: Kearney 7, Belton 0. YOUR BULLDOGS ARE STATE-BOUND!

Line highlights: Narron 1–2, RBI • Casey 1–3 • Paalhar 1–2, 2 RBI • Quick 1–3, RBI • Pennington 1–4 • Stumpenhaus 1–4 • Garrett 2–3 • Jury 1–2, 2 RBI • Landewee CG (7 IP), 2 H, 14 K.

Up next, KHS faces St. Francis Borgia in the first round of State at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30, in Springfield. Let’s pack the stands and keep this run rolling!