The Wright City softball team opened the 2026 MSHSAA softball playoffs by doing exactly what the team has done for the past couple of weeks.
In the Wildcats’ 16-6, five-inning win over Bayless to open Class 3 District 3 play Monday at Winfield, the Wildcats scored in double digits for the sixth straight game – each of which has been a win.
For junior shortstop Lorelai Kellner, the team’s success has come, in large part, from mental sharpness.
“It’s all about mindset,” Kellner said. “We have a good chance if we play our defense and hit our pitches.”
That mindset took a slight bump in the first inning when Bayless jumped to the 2-0 lead against senior starting pitcher Ava Swearingen.
It didn’t last long, however, as third-seeded Wright City (14-13) scored four runs in the first inning on the way to tallying a run in each inning.
“I was frustrated, at first, because we made a couple of errors,” Swearingen said. “I was very thankful that our offense could come back and hit the ball the way it did. I’m so excited about how we (ended up playing). I really would like to see (how far we can go).”
In its five innings at the plate, Wright City tallied three, three, two, six and two runs to run away with the win.
Of her five RBI, Kellner’s loudest pair came on a two-run home run in the bottom of the second inning. She also added a double in the victory.
“I just tried to make contact,” Kellner said. “If you ever try to hit a home run, it’s a mistake. I just wanted to get a run on the board so we could get runs back for the ones we gave them.”
While Kellner was a triple short of the cycle, sophomores Haley Elsenrath and Harper Martin both fell one hit short of the cycle as well – each being just a home run short.
Wright City Coach Fred Ross said he was happy to see the team shake off its slow start, but the lull was likely understandable.
“Defensively, we’ve just got to start cleaning things up, it’s do or die right now,” Ross said. “We’re really focusing on making the for-sure thing and not risking things. A couple of times tonight, we didn’t follow that plan.”
The coach added that the win came with a few added attractions.
Swearingen recorded her 200th career strikeout while Kellner tied the school’s single-season doubles record, and senior Anna Klekamp recorded her 100th career hit.
“I think part of the problem was that we were really hyped up, strung up to get some of these records,” Ross said. “We’ll get at it.”
Wright City next took on Bowling Green in the district semifinal round on Tuesday after press time.
