Hays High softball earns state tournament berth after beating Buhler, McPherson

The Indian softball team qualified for the state tournament next week in Salina by beating Buhler and McPherson Wednesday to win the 4A-D1 Regional softball tournament at the Bickle Schmidt Sports Complex in Hays.

The Championship game ended with Hays 14, McPherson 11.

During the championship game, Hays High hit three home runs, coming from behind to beat McPherson by three runs.

Senior Kylie Brown said her proudest team moment was their intolerance of complete failure.

“We’ve had some losses on the season,” Brown said. “We picked ourselves up and learned from it so that we would come out and dominate the next game.”

McPherson started hot with a 5-0 lead in the first inning as the first five hitters reached base and came in to score.

We made something of our season and fulfilled one of our goals we had for ourselves at the beginning of it.

— Senior Kylie Brown

Brown added her teammates are family, literally and figuratively.

“My sister is on the team with me,” Brown said. “It’s amazing to play on the same field as her and be able to watch her improve. Really, I’m just proud of everyone and the accomplishments we’ve made as a team.”

Senior Albany Schaffer helped Hays chip away at McPherson’s lead by hitting a two-run home run leaving the score 6-5 McPherson after three innings.

Senior Shannon Schumacher said her parents are the ones she can thank for her accomplishments.

“My parents are the ones that made this all possible for me,” Schumacher said. “They support me and provided me with the opportunity to play tournaments throughout the state.”

Schumacher hit her first two-run home run of the season along with senior Nicole Dinkel, putting Hays up 13-9 after four innings.

Seniors Shannon Schumacher, Kylie Brown and Tessa Stickel share congratulatory hugs with former coach and government instructor, Abby Maska.
Seniors Shannon Schumacher, Kylie Brown and Tessa Stickel share congratulatory hugs with former coach and government instructor, Abby Maska.

Senior Tessa Stickel was three-for-three, scored twice and drove in two.

“[State] is our last chance to do something big,” Stickel said. “Since we have so many seniors on our team, it really shows how our hard work from each season is paying off.”

Stickel added the support from each teammate is what she believes propelled the team to state.

“Working as a team and coming back up from being down has allowed us to make another state appearance,” Stickel said. “This is my last time to play a high school sport, so I am incredibly excited to be state bound.”

The Hays High softball team triumphantly cheers while holding their state plague.
The Hays High softball team triumphantly cheers while holding their state plague.

Senior Madison Prough drove in Brown with a single during the game.

“My proudest moment is when we came back from losing to beating McPherson and going to state,” Prough said. “I went to state my sophomore year and I’m very excited to be able to experience that again. Our team came together and did all our jobs, so I’m very proud.”

The Indian softball team gathers for a group hug after their win.
The Indian softball team gathers for a group hug after their win.

Government instructor and former softball coach, Abby Maska, congratulated the team via social media after the game.

“I’d say [the team] did something big today,” Maska said. “This is their title, their legacy, their time. I’m proud of them all.”