The Concordia Orioles struck first and didn’t look back, soaring to a 10-2 victory over the Bernie Mules in a Class One semifinal at the MSHSAA Spring Softball State Championships on Tuesday, May 27 in Springfield.

The Orioles scored two runs in the third, first from a groundout by Olivia Hemme that brought home Emily Wilkens, and then an Ava Mueller single that turned into an error, bringing home the second run. Mueller attempted to make it an inside-the-park home run, but was tagged out before reaching home. That didn’t squelch the momentum of the defending champs, as Concordia added one in the fourth, then two in the fifth when Mueller launched a two-run blast over center field. Concordia padded their totals with two more runs in the sixth and then three runs in the seventh. Mikalyn Kirkwood had Bernie’s only two runs of the game by way of a home run in the bottom of the sixth to center-right field.

Hemme pitched a complete game for Concordia, only allowing the two-run home run on four hits and four walks, while striking out 14. Bernie’s Blair Pleimling also pitched a complete game, allowing the ten runs (six earned) on 14 hits and two walks, while striking out four.

With Lockwood’s 12-4 defeat of Oak Ridge, the Orioles prepare to face the Tigers from western Dade County. Inclement weather forced a suspension of play in the third place game between Oak Ridge and Bernie; that game will resume in the third inning at 10 a.m. Wednesday. The third place game for Class Two between Kennett and Ava will follow. Upon that game’s conclusion, Concordia and Lockwood will then take the field. We’re anticipating a start time of 2:30 for our broadcast on KMMO AM 1300 and online at KMMO.com; stay tuned for any updates on the schedule from Springfield.

After Concordia’s game in the Class One title game, the tournament will conclude with the Class Two title game between Diamond and Warsaw. The Warsaw Wildcats shut out Ava on Tuesday afternoon 5-0, with Elizabeth Winters claiming three runs batted in while Brylee Brewster brought in the remaining two. Brewster also recorded 17 punchouts in her complete game shutout, allowing just one hit, two walks, and a hit by pitch.