EMPORIA, Kan. — Three Lions logged home runs as the top-seeded Missouri Southern State University Lions softball team (47-7) earned a spot in the MIAA championship finals with a 6-1 win over the host team fourth-seeded Emporia State University Hornets (29-18) on Friday at Emporia’s Trusler Sports Complex.

Southern senior Katie Gray sparked the Lions offense in the bottom of the third inning with a two-run homer just inside the foul pole in left field. That homer plated Bailey Dillon and broke Gray’s single-season MSSU home run record with her 16th home run of the year. Emily Perry gave the Lions a 3-0 lead when she doubled to right center and drove in Carsen Tinkler.

The Hornets put a run across in the top of the fifth when Taryn Burkhard plated Kinsey Perine with a single up the middle.

MSSU answered with a trio of runs, all via the long ball, in the bottom of the frame. Maddie Rolfs scored Micah Snider after she busted one over left center field that sent Emporia State’s center fielder Burkhardt crashing into the fence.

Freshman Avery Sue Davis went back-to-back with Rolfs, sending one over the left field fence for a solo shot that made it a 6-1 Lions lead.

That score held as the Lions secured their spot in the finals, set for noon Saturday.

Three Lions logged multiple hits in the game. Tinkler was 2 for 3 with a run, Rolfs went 2 for 3 with two RBIs and a run, and Davis finished 2 for 3 with one RBI and one run.

Starter Kiki Pickens (20-3) earned her 20th win of the season. She gave up one run on five hits, while striking out four and walking two in four innings of work. Freshman Emily Davis earned the save after giving up no runs on two hits in three innings of relief. Davis fanned five and walked none.

“Kiki early on helping keep us composed was really big for us,” MSSU head coach Halie Blackney said. “I feel that paid off early in the game, and then we kind of settled in and were ourselves. Pitching and defense is what we hang our hat on. Kiki did her thing, and then Emily Davis came in and did her thing too.”

Burkhardt led Emporia State after going 2 for 4 with one RBI.

Hornets starter Hannah Butterbaugh was tagged with the loss after surrendering three runs on six hits. She struck out none and walked none in 2 2/3 innings.

Blackney shared her thoughts on the win.

“We knew playing the Hornets here in Emporia, there was going to be a lot of energy,” Blackney said. “They are an energetic bunch, and we knew we would have to weather the storm. I felt like the maturity and experience of our upperclassmen really carried us through that. It was a team win. I love our team, just because of how we pay, which is together always.”

The MIAA regular season champions Lions will look to win the MIAA Tournament title as well when they face Rogers State University on Saturday. Rogers State beat the University of Central Oklahoma by a score of 7-5 in the second semifinal Friday.

Tinkler talked abut what it would be like to capture both the regular-season and the tourney titles — something that hasn’t happened since 2001.

“We couldn’t end any better,” Tinkler said. “That’s the goal and that would be awesome.”

Tinkler shared what she believes it will take to win the MIAA tourney.

“I think we just stay who we are, stay consistent, and it will take care of itself,” Tinkler said.

May 6—Nine Alle-Kiski Valley softball teams will find out their WPIAL playoff fates when the softball committee releases the brackets with first-round matchups, dates, sites and times Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m.

It's been a regular season filled with exhilarating wins and heartbreaking setbacks, but now the focus turns to the postseason journey with the opening games slated to begin as early as Monday.

Kiski Area, Freeport and Burrell make returns to the WPIAL playoffs after missing out last year. For the Cavaliers, the drought extended back three years since they last took part in the playoffs in 2022.

Fox Chapel and Plum tied for second in Section 1-5A at 8-4 behind undefeated Shaler.

Knoch finished off back-to-back section titles. The Knights, fronted by a veteran group with skill on defense and in the pitching circle and power at the plate, are 39-5 in section play the past four years.

Deer Lakes, Apollo-Ridge and Leechburg also continue runs in postseason play. The Lancers made the Class 3A quarterfinals last year with a 7-0 first-round win over Charleroi. But they bowed out of the playoffs with a loss to No. 1 South Park on the Eagles' march to a runner-up finish and a trip to states.

The same thing happened to the Vikings, who edged OLSH in the 8-9 matchup at Fox Chapel before running into a buzzsaw known as Neshannock. The Lancers rolled past Apollo-Ridge on their way to a WPIAL championship.

For the Blue Devils, one of the longest streaks in WPIAL history continues.

Leechburg (2-9 overall) finished fourth (2-6) in Section 3-1A for their 39th consecutive trip to the WPIAL playoffs.

Freeport survives emotional stretch

The Yellowjackets withstood a roller coaster for the last three weeks of the regular season to secure a spot in the WPIAL Class 4A tournament.

Freeport lost a trio of one-run games in section, one to section runner-up Indiana and two to playoff qualifier Derry. The Yellowjackets had a 5-1 lead on Greensburg Salem on April 15 before the Golden Lions rallied for a 7-5 win.

But through all that, Freeport stayed alive.

It put itself in position for a postseason berth with a 13-0 win over Greensburg Salem on Monday behind a nine-hit attack and a lineup that drew eight walks against Greensburg Salem starter Allie Scarpa and reliever Olivia Aller. Allie Smith was solid in the circle, pitching a two-hitter with standout defensive plays backing her up.

Then it was onto Tuesday, and the Yellowjackets became big Derry fans as a win by the Trojans over Greensburg-Salem would give Freeport a spot in the Class 4A tournament.

Derry jumped on Golden Lions' pitching early and rolled to a 19-5 win. Freeport and Greensburg-Salem tied for fourth in the section at 5-7. Both teams advance based on their series split.

Plum hopes to break streak

The Mustangs are a perennial playoff qualifier in Class 5A.

That consistency is what drives each class that puts on a Mustangs uniform.

But recent games in the playoffs have proven to be frustrating.

Plum has reached the WPIAL playoffs six times since 2019, but first-round exits each time, some agonizing, have the Mustangs searching to end the streak.

Coach Phil DiLonardo and his players hope this is the year the seven-game playoff losing streak comes to an end.

With seven starters back from last year, the optimism was there.

And led by the pitching of senior Riley Stephans and a strong hitting lineup, Plum is hoping to end the frustration.

The Mustangs navigated a competitive section with a 3-1 mark down stretch. A 7-6 loss to North Hills in the section finale was the only blemish.

Stephans struck out nine in an 18-5 win over West Mifflin on April 30. One of those nine was the 300th strikeout for her varsity career.

The hitting strength was on display in Plum's home win over North Hills on April 20. Liana Yusko homered in the second, third and fourth innings of the 17-2 win. She finished with seven RBI.

Arms in the race

Lexi Stabile burst onto the scene right from the start of the season, pitching Fox Chapel to several key victories.

The freshman struck out 11 and surrendered just one hit to a strong Plum lineup in a 5-0 victory March 25.

Stabile then matched Shaler star Bria Bosiljevac pitch for pitch in a 1-0 loss to the Titans on April 8. She gave up just four hits to a Shaler team that is dangerous throughout the lineup.

But Stabile has been slowed as of late by an injury that has kept her out of the pitching circle.

Enter junior Jillian Haigh, who began the year at shortstop but soon revisited her success as a pitcher from previous seasons. The Foxes have relied on her down the stretch.

In a key 4-3 win over New Castle on April 17, Haigh struck out five and walked none. The Red Hurricanes' potent offense collected eight hits, but of the three runs scored, none was earned.

Fox Chapel rallied for four runs in the bottom of the sixth. Haigh singled in the inning and scored the Foxes' second run on a double from Heidi Stiger.

Bella Geller later doubled home Stiger for what turned out to be the winner.

Three days later, Haigh allowed just one hit over five innings in a 13-0 victory over Mars.

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

MW Softball Tournament

WHAT: Round 1 is single-elimination

WHO: No. 4 New Mexico vs. No. 5 Fresno State

WHEN: Wednesday 4 p.m. MT

WHERE: Reno, Nevada

WATCH: Online stream at TheMW.com

The first postseason appearance in 20 years for the UNM Lobo softball team starts at 4 p.m. Mountain Time (3 p.m. local start time in Reno, Nevada) on Wednesday against the Fresno State Bulldogs.

The No. 4 seed Lobos (26-25, 13-12 Mountain West) play No. 5 Fresno State (23-23, 12-13 MW) in the single-elimination first round of the MW Softball Championship at the Christina M Hixson Softball Park in a game that will be streamed on TheMW.com.

See you in Reno for the Credit Union 1 MW Softball Championship pic.twitter.com/FezxlLQUYz

— Mountain West (@MountainWest) May 2, 2026

The winner of the game, and of the 7 p.m. MT game between No. 3 Nevada and No. 6 Colorado State, advance to Thursday's double-elimination bracket.

No. 1 Grand Canyon awaits the UNM/Fresno State winner and No. 2 UNLV awaits the winner of the Nevada/Colorado State game.

UNM took two of three from Fresno State this season and the Lobos have won seven of nine overall heading into the conference tournament, the first for the program since 2006.

Final 2026 Mountain West Softball standings pic.twitter.com/TuHk8htfe4

— Geoff Grammer (@GeoffGrammer) May 3, 2026

Reach Geoff Grammer at ggrammer@abqjournal.com or follow him on Twitter (X) @GeoffGrammer.

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Another week, another top-ranking for the Kenton Ridge High School softball team.

The defending state champion Cougars (23-0) — owners of a 55-game winning streak, the third-longest in state history — were again ranked No. 1 in the fourth Ohio High School Softball Coaches Poll, which was released Monday, May 4. They’ve been the top-ranked team in D-IV for nine straight weeks, dating back to last season.

Kenton Ridge is also ranked No. 16 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll and No. 12 in the MaxPreps Top 25.

Lakota East (18-4) is No. 3 in D-I, while Centerville (18-6) is No. 5, two spots ahead of No. 7 Lebanon (16-8).

Troy (21-2) remained No. 8 in the D-II state poll.

Greenville (22-1) is No. 2 in D-III, receiving one first-place vote. The Green Wave swept Troy in Miami Valley League Miami Division play, beating the previously unbeaten Trojans 5-0 on Friday, May 1 and 6-0 on Monday, May 4. Oxford Talawanda (17-4) is No. 8 in D-III.

In D-V, Springfield Shawnee (22-2) is second, receiving one first-place vote. Miami East (17-4) remained at No. 4.

Defending D-VI state champion Tri-Village is second and also received a first-place vote. Midwest Athletic Conference power Parkway remained No. 1, while Marion Local is No. 9.

South Charleston Southeastern (20-3) is ranked No. 7 in D-VII. The Trojans won 18 straight games before falling 1-0 to D-VI No. 5 West Jefferson (16-4) on Monday, May 4.

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May 5—Another week, another top-ranking for the Kenton Ridge High School softball team.

The defending state champion Cougars (23-0) — owners of a 55-game winning streak, the third-longest in state history — were again ranked No. 1 in the fourth Ohio High School Softball Coaches Poll, which was released Monday, May 4. They've been the top-ranked team in D-IV for nine straight weeks, dating back to last season.

Kenton Ridge is also ranked No. 16 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll and No. 12 in the MaxPreps Top 25.

Lakota East (18-4) is No. 3 in D-I, while Centerville (18-6) is No. 5, two spots ahead of No. 7 Lebanon (16-8).

Troy (21-2) remained No. 8 in the D-II state poll.

Greenville (22-1) is No. 2 in D-III, receiving one first-place vote. The Green Wave swept Troy in Miami Valley League Miami Division play, beating the previously unbeaten Trojans 5-0 on Friday, May 1 and 6-0 on Monday, May 4. Oxford Talawanda (17-4) is No. 8 in D-III.

In D-V, Springfield Shawnee (22-2) is second, receiving one first-place vote. Miami East (17-4) remained at No. 4.

Defending D-VI state champion Tri-Village is second and also received a first-place vote. Midwest Athletic Conference power Parkway remained No. 1, while Marion Local is No. 9.

South Charleston Southeastern (20-3) is ranked No. 7 in D-VII. The Trojans won 18 straight games before falling 1-0 to D-VI No. 5 West Jefferson (16-4) on Monday, May 4.

Another week, another top-ranking for the Kenton Ridge High School softball team.

The defending state champion Cougars (23-0) — owners of a 55-game winning streak, the third-longest in state history — were again ranked No. 1 in the fourth Ohio High School Softball Coaches Poll, which was released Monday, May 4. They’ve been the top-ranked team in D-IV for nine straight weeks, dating back to last season.

Kenton Ridge is also ranked No. 16 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll and No. 12 in the MaxPreps Top 25.

Lakota East (18-4) is No. 3 in D-I, while Centerville (18-6) is No. 5, two spots ahead of No. 7 Lebanon (16-8).

Troy (21-2) remained No. 8 in the D-II state poll.

Greenville (22-1) is No. 2 in D-III, receiving one first-place vote. The Green Wave swept Troy in Miami Valley League Miami Division play, beating the previously unbeaten Trojans 5-0 on Friday, May 1 and 6-0 on Monday, May 4. Oxford Talawanda (17-4) is No. 8 in D-III.

In D-V, Springfield Shawnee (22-2) is second, receiving one first-place vote. Miami East (17-4) remained at No. 4.

Defending D-VI state champion Tri-Village is second and also received a first-place vote. Midwest Athletic Conference power Parkway remained No. 1, while Marion Local is No. 9.

South Charleston Southeastern (20-3) is ranked No. 7 in D-VII. The Trojans won 18 straight games before falling 1-0 to D-VI No. 5 West Jefferson (16-4) on Monday, May 4.