South Harrison and Gallatin softball will play for a return trip to Springfield, Princeton and Stanberry will battle for a semifinal berth

by Jeremy Benson, GrandRiverConference.com

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The GRC and GRC West continue their strong play in the postseason with four teams capturing district championships this week.  Each of them will be playing on Saturday at 1:00 pm in the State Quarterfinals for a shot at the Final Four in Springfield.

Class 1 District 6

Gallatin defeated Polo 1-0 on a sacrifice bunt by Lyndsey King in the bottom of the fifth scoring Paige Heldenbrand.  Heldenbrand led off the 5th with a double.  It was a smart baserunning move by Paige who kept running when the Polo left fielder hesitated in returning the ball back to the infield.  She then took third on a passed ball.  King then laid down a perfect bunt scoring Heldenbrand.  Brynn Bird pitched a 3-hit shutout and struck out 14 Polo hitters securing the 1-0 victory.

Gallatin will host defending Class 1 state champion La Plata in the Quarterfinals.  La Plata defeated Gallatin 5-3 in the State Semifinals in 2023.

Class 1 Districts 7 & 8

Stanberry defeated North Andrew 2-1 when Brea Jensen hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 8th inning.  Stanberry took a 1-0 lead into the 7th inning when North Andrew tied the score to force extra innings.  Stanberry's first run came in the 5th when Marli Hilton singled to score Brookelynn Richardson.

Princeton defeated Albany 7-2.  Princeton broke open a 1-1 game with 3 runs in the 6th inning and another 3 runs in the 7th inning.  Addilyn Henke had a big hit in the 6th put the Tigers up 3-1.  Kaydence Stockman had one of her three hits in the 7th to extend the lead to 5-2.  Stockman would end up scoring on a Rachel Bass groundout to give Princeton a 7-2 lead.

Princeton will host Stanberry in the Quarterfinals.  Princeton and Stanberry have played twice this season, splitting their two games.  Princeton defeated Stanberry in the Bill Tournament in Albany.  They scored five runs in the bottom of the 6th to win 9-8.  Stanberry won the GRC West conference game 13-3.  Princeton is looking for their 3rd Final Four trip.  They went in 1991 (2nd) and 1994 (3rd).  Stanberry is trying to make their first Final Four in softball.

Class 2 District 6

South Harrison defeated Marceline 8-7 when Bailey Barnett hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 8th inning.  South Harrison took a 7-5 lead into the 7th inning, but Marceline was able to tie the score to force extra innings.  Marceline was able to get an early 5-1 lead through three innings, but the Lady Bulldogs scored five in the 5th and another run in the 6th to take the 7-5 lead.

South Harrison will host Highland in the Quarterfinals.  They last played Highland in 2019 falling 6-2.  Highland has been a tough opponent for GRC teams this year.  They defeated Milan, Brookfield and Putnam County already this season.

District Championship Facebook Posts

Gallatin

Stanberry

Princeton

South Harrison