Stanberry softball magically advances to state quarterfinals

(Stanberry) — Stanberry softball took to heart the cliché that everyone started the postseason 0-0 and the result has been a dream run to the state quarterfinals.

“It’s been an amazing feeling,” Stanberry head coach Brittney McClurg tells KMA Sports. “I’ve talked all season about how the postseason is where you bring everything. They just dug in and did their job. We’re very excited.”

The Bulldogs (11-14) are among the final eight remaining in Class 1A after a thrilling, eight-inning 2-1 win over North Andrew in a district final. Brea Jenson’s home run made the difference.

“I’m going to remember the energy the girls brought,” McClurg said. “I don’t think they gave up. They just kept moving forward and took one play at a time. North Andrew gave us a good game, but our players showed the best of their abilities.”

The district final victory was their second consecutive one-run win as they beat King City 4-3 in a district semifinal. The Bulldogs opened the postseason with a dominant 13-3 victory over Maysville.

“(The district final) was the definition of working through challenges and not assuming anything,” McClurg said. “It’s not over until it’s over. The girls have seen what parts are big. They’ve seen how all the little things add up to a W at the end of the day.”

Stanberry’s run to the state quarterfinals probably looked doubtful to many after the Bulldogs limped into the postseason with nine straight losses.

“I think the girls saw that as a challenge,” McClurg said. “They didn’t want their season to end that way. They turned it around and here we are.”

McClurg points to Jenson, Marli Hilton, Trista Lager, Alyssa Wallace, Olivia McQuinn and Kenzi Santa Cruz as some of the key faces for Stanberry’s dream career.

Stanberry faces Princeton in the state quarterfinals on Saturday. The two faced each other twice in the regular season. Princeton won 9-8 on September 7 and Stanberry won 13-3. The Tigers (21-11) have taken on North Harrison, Pattonsburg and Albany in the postseason.

“We know the pitcher and some of his strategies,” McClurg said. “We know we need to close the gap. It will all depend on who shows up and plays their best game. We need to keep our outlook positive and our energy high. If we continue to have confidence in ourselves and each other, we will be unstoppable.”

Click below to listen to the full interview with Coach McClurg.