Washington High School’s dominant and memorable softball season ended with state championship on Friday afternoon, October 27.
Playing in the MSHSAA Class 4 Championships at Killian Softball Complex in Springfield, Washington completed its historic season with wins of 16-1 over Parkway West in the semifinals and 3-1 over Helias in the championship game.
The Lady Jays (37-1-1) ended their season on a school record 30-game winning streak. They went unbeaten (37-0) against teams from Missouri. Of the 37 wins, 21 came by 10 runs or more. They also defeated the Class 5 state champion, Francis Howell, and the Class 3 state champion, Fatima, during the regular season.
It was Washington’s third straight trip to the Softball Final Four and second state title in three years. The Lady Jays claimed the Class 4 state crown in 2021 and placed third in 2022.
It’s Washington High School’s third team state championship, joining the 1973 Blue Jays football team and the 2021 Lady Jays softball team.
“It's an incredible accomplishment to get to the Final Four three straight years and win two state titles. These girls, every single one of them, have a lot to be proud of,” said Washington Head Softball Coach Grant Young. “We've had a good run this season. We didn't lose a single game to a team from the state of Missouri, and that's an unbelievable feat, to go an entire season, play 39 games, and not lose to a team from your state. We've played some really good teams, some teams that are here at the Final Four. Every girl contributed. It's a tremendous team accomplishment.”
Team members are seniors Elizabeth Reed, Lacy Monzyk, Kelsie Holtmeyer, Christine Gerling, Kendall Nix, Lauren Opfer, Maddie Guevara, Ella Lause and Taylor Brown, juniors Grace Molitor, Chloe Mueller and Ellie Hopen, sophomore Maddie Kluesner and freshman Madisen Meyer. Managers are Alayna Royal and Kaner Young. Grant Young is the head coach. Assistant coaches are Tim Zumsteg, Logan Schamerloh and Craig Vonder Haar.
Washington vs. Helias
In a rematch of last year’s semifinal game, won by Helias, Washington got its revenge with a 3-1 victory over the Crusaders in the Class 4 title contest.
The game was scoreless until the top of the seventh inning, when the Lady Jays scored three runs to take a 3-0 lead.
Grace Molitor and Lacy Monzyk both were hit by a pitch to start the inning and Maddie Guevara followed with a bunt single to load the bases. Kendall Nix followed with a squeeze bunt to score Molitor for the first run of the game. Monzyk appeared to score on the play as well, but was called out when the umpire ruled she missed home plate. Kelsie Holtmeyer followed with another squeeze bunt to score Guevara and make the score 2-0. Ella Lause then singled to right field to score Nix to make the score 3-0.
Helias scored its lone run in the bottom of the seventh inning,
Washington pitcher Taylor Brown pitched all seven innings, allowing one run on three hits with one walk and nine strikeouts.
Both teams had three hits. Molitor, Guevara and Lause each had one hit for Washington.
“The girls made some big plays, especially toward the end of the game, were able to get the lead in the seventh inning, and then finish it off. After facing some adversity during the game, the girls just said this was their last chance in the sixth and seventh inning, so let's step up. We found ways to get on base, were aggressive on the base paths, and found ways to score those three runs,” Young said. “We were all fired up in the last two innings after facing some adversity. The coaching staff was fired up, the players were fired up, we knew we had the seventh inning to make some plays and get the lead. The girls were motivated to get it done.”
Washington vs. Parkway West
Washington cruised past Parkway West in the semifinals on Thursday, October 26, 16-1 in four innings.
The Lady Jays collected 12 hits, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning, four in the second, eight in the third and ended the game with one in the fourth.
Molitor and Monzyk belted back-to-back home runs and Brown later added another homer.
Monzyk led the way with three hits, three runs and two RBIs. Christine Gerling finished with two hits, one walk, two RBIs and two runs. Holtmeyer collected two hits and three RBIs. Molitor finished with one hit, one walk, two RBIs and two runs. Guevara had one hit, one walk and two runs. Lause had one hit and one run, Madisen Meyer added one hit and two RBIs. Brown had one hit. Nix walked twice and scored a run. Elizabeth Reed had one RBI.
Brown allowed one run on two hits with three walks and five strikeouts in four innings of work.
Photos from the state championship game between Washington and Helias are below, courtesy of Arron Hustead of the Washington Missourian and Patrick Tenny.
Class 4 State Softball Champions
The Washington High School Softball Lady Jays are 2023 MSHSAA Class 4 State Champions with a 37-1-1 overall record. Front row, from left, are Chloe Mueller, Maddie Guevara, Christine Gerling, Kelsie Holtmeyer, Elizabeth Reed, Grace Molitor and Maddie Kluesner. Middle row, from left, are Alayna Royal (manager), Ella Lause, Madisen Meyer, Ellie Hopen, Kendall Nix, Taylor Brown, Lauren Opfer, Lacy Monzyk and Kaner Young (manager). Back row, from left, are Assistant Coach Logan Schamerloh, Head Coach Grant Young, Assistant Coach Craig Vonder Haar and Assistant Coach Tim Zumsteg.
(Photo Courtesy of Arron Hustead, Washington Missourian).
Class 4 State Softball Champions
The Washington High School Softball Lady Jays are 2023 MSHSAA Class 4 State Champions with a 37-1-1 overall record. Front row, from left, are Chloe Mueller, Maddie Guevara, Christine Gerling, Kelsie Holtmeyer, Elizabeth Reed, Grace Molitor and Maddie Kluesner. Middle row, from left, are Alayna Royal (manager), Ella Lause, Madisen Meyer, Ellie Hopen, Kendall Nix, Taylor Brown, Lauren Opfer, Lacy Monzyk and Kaner Young (manager). Back row, from left, are Assistant Coach Logan Schamerloh, Head Coach Grant Young, Assistant Coach Craig Vonder Haar and Assistant Coach Tim Zumsteg.
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Arron Hustead, Washington Missourian).
(Photo Courtesy of Arron Hustead, Washington Missourian).
(Photo Courtesy of Arron Hustead, Washington Missourian).
(Photo Courtesy of Arron Hustead, Washington Missourian).
(Photo Courtesy of Arron Hustead, Washington Missourian).
(Photo Courtesy of Arron Hustead, Washington Missourian).
(Photo Courtesy of Arron Hustead, Washington Missourian).
(Photo Courtesy of Arron Hustead, Washington Missourian).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
(Photo Courtesy of Patrick Tenny).
