By: Madison Feldhahn
This past Thursday marked the first day of competition for fall softball in Missouri. August 29 saw nine games to kick off the fall season. There will be over 100 games this Friday and Saturday across the state. In the first National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll, Missouri had five teams in the Top 25 – Washington (2), Francis Howell (20), Blue Springs South (21), Raymore-Peculiar (23), and Helias Catholic (24). Take a further look at these five schools below.
Washington High School (2)
The Class 4 high school from Washington, Mo. is entering this year off a state championship victory over Helias Catholic (24) in 2023. The Blue Jays, of Washington, Mo., have started their season 1-1 with a 3-2 victory over Francis Howell (20) and an 11-13 lost to Class 5 Northwest High School (Cedar Hill, MO). Washington is led by head coach Grant Young and assistant Tim Zumsteg. The program is rounded out by JV assistant coaches Logan Schamerloh and Craig Vonder Haar. This coaching staff was recently named the 2023-24 ATEC/NFCA High School National Coaching Staff of the Year.
The Washington Blue Jays roster features 7 seniors, lead by Grace Molitor. Molitor was named to the 1st Team NFCA All Region Team last season. The team also adds 11 freshmen to their roster. Key games for the Blue Jays this season include Troy Buchanan (Sept. 11) and Park Way West (Sept. 25).
Francis Howell High School (20)
The St. Charles, Mo. Francis Howell High School won the Class 5 2023 fall state championship. The Vikings defeated Blue Springs South (21) 8-0. The Vikings are currently playing in the Francis Howell Invitational against Bartlesville High Schools and Owasso High School (18, Okla.), and Lafayette High School. The program kicks off their conference play on Sept. 3 against Fort Zumwalt West High School.
Lexi Romeril is in charge of the program. She is assisted by Kaylee Burton and Madison Kettler at the varsity level and Todd Mueller and Sue Herweck at the junior varsity level. Romeril took charge of her alma mater in spring 2023 and lead the team to a Class 5 State Championship in her first season.
The Vikings squad has 7 seniors, including Northern Illinois University commit Elle Glass. One of the key games for the Vikings is against Troy Buchanan High School (Sept. 24).
Blue Springs South High School (21)
The Blue Springs South High School Jaguars are coming off a second place finish in the Class 5 State Tournament. The team from Blue Springs, Mo., is led by Kristina Williams. She is assisted by Tracie Black. Darin Wisner and Ryan Messick are the junior varsity and freshman assistant coaches, respectfully.
The Jaguars are playing at the MO West Round Robin tournament and will head to the Papillion-La Vista Invitational before starting conference play at Grain Valley on Sept. 9.
The program has six seniors on their roster, led by Ava Wilmes who is committed to Iowa State University. Other senior commitments include Mikayla Davis to Jacksonville State University, Ava Minton to Southwest Baptist University, Kaylee Norris to Benedictine University, and Briley Tiller to Howard University. The Jaguars will face Raymore-Peculiar (23) on Sept. 19 and Oct. 7.
Raymore-Peculiar High School (23)
Raymore-Peculiar High School finished third in the 2023 Missouri State tournament, behind Francis Howell and Blue Springs South. It was the Panthers first trip to the state tournament since 2019 and just their second winning season in the same timeframe. Ali Jo Locher took over the program in 2023. She is assisted by Shelby Prather. Brandon Ransom is the head JV coach, and he’s assisted by Brett Marr. John Heinemann leads the freshman team with Ashleigh Easton assisting. In May, Locher was honored with the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame’s Diamond 9 Award for her contributions to softball as a player and coach.
The Panthers roster carries 4 seniors on their team, including Western New Mexico University commit Bailey Hummel. The Raymore-Peculiar team is playing in the William Chrisman Tournament. They’ll head to the 20th Annual Joplin Paige Neal/Christina Freeman Softball Invitational before beginning conference play at Lee’s Summit North on Sept. 16.
Helias Catholic High School (24)
The runner-up in the Class 4 State Tournament, Helias Catholic, takes on Roll Sept. 3 for their first game of the season. The Lady Crusaders hail from Jefferson City, Mo., and are led by Kelly Fick. She is assisted by Barry Delaney, Megan Smith, and Chris Wyrick. Fick has led the softball program since 2020 and took over the baseball team in May 2024. Delany was named a Missouri HS Fastpitch Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year.
There are just two seniors on the Helias Catholic roster, Cambri Van Loo and Abigail Verslues. The Lady Crusaders are looking for their first state championship since 2019. They’ve finished runner-up in the tournament since then.
The 49th MSHSAA Softball Championships will be held Oct. 31-Nov. 2, 2024 at the Killian Softball Complex in Springfield, Mo. All tickets must be purchased in advanced on their website and the games will be streamed on MSHSAA.TV.
