Kendyll Rackers News Today

A total of 24 Jefferson City-area players were selected to the 2023 Missouri High School Fastpitch Coaches Association all-state softball team, which was released earlier this week.

The Helias softball rematch tour continues. The Lady Crusaders avenged last year’s loss in the state title game, upending the defending state champion Kearney Lady Bulldogs for a 3-1 victory Thursday afternoon in the Class 4 state semifinals at Killian Softball Complex. “This was fun, that’s all I can say,” Helias coach Kelly Fick said.

Here are capsule looks at Helias, Kearney, Parkway West and Washington, who are competing in the Class 4 softball Final Four in Springfield.

Here are capsule looks at Helias, Kearney, Parkway West and Washington, who are competing in the Class 4 softball Final Four in Springfield.

The Helias softball team is going back to the Class 4 Final Four for a second straight season, so there will be plenty of familiarity for the Lady Crusaders during their visit to Springfield. But the familiarity doesn’t end there.

The Helias Lady Crusaders weren’t going to go away. Trailing 2-0 after just three batters Tuesday against the Southern Boone Lady Eagles, the Lady Crusaders knew their was plenty of game yet to be played. “It’s tough to have to battle and claw our way back, but I’m proud of the way we did it today,” Helias coach Kelly Fick said after the Lady Crusaders defeated the Lady Eagles 7-4 at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex.

COLUMBIA -- Taking on some of the better large school teams in the state, the Fulton Hornets started the Southside Classic off strong.

All it took for the Blair Oaks Lady Falcons was one inning. Despite committing five errors and falling behind early to the Helias Lady Crusaders, Blair Oaks used a three-hit fifth inning to score all of its runs and hold on for a 3-2 victory Tuesday night at the Falcon Athletic Complex.

The Helias Lady Crusaders took advantage of their opportunities and it made a big difference Wednesday night. The Lady Crusaders scored five runs with two outs while the Jefferson City Lady Jays stranded nine baserunners, helping Helias run away with a 9-2 victory in Central Missouri Activities Conference play at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex.

The numbers are there. The Helias Lady Crusaders return eight starters from a softball team that finished second in the Class 4 state tournament last fall. That should have the Lady Crusaders thinking about a second straight trip to Springfield in October for the Final Four. But the Lady Crusaders aren’t getting ahead of themselves.