Defending state champ Ashland-Greenwood clawed itself back into the state tournament, while 2022 state runner-up Hastings St. Cecelia and 2023 runner-up Bishop Neumann have ruled Class C all season.
The Cavaliers took the lone matchup over Hastings St. Cecilia earlier this year, but the rest of the field is right there as well.
Aquinas split matchups with Bishop Neumann. Guardian Angels Central Catholic has met five opponents in the field in the regular season setting up for another last-team-standing battle.
Then there are DC West and NEN, who throw their names into the field as first-time contenders. DC West is still riding high after qualifying for the state tournament in walk-off fashion while NEN slugged its way to a 21-17 victory over Kearney Catholic for a trip to Hastings.
Hastings SC (27-3): Four batters have driven in 30-plus RBIs for the Hawkettes, led by Abigail Musalek’s 38 RBIs and 10 home runs. Isabella Kvols has 36 RBIs to help support junior Audrey Rossow’s 25-3 record and 3.21 ERA in the circle.
Aquinas (20-13): The Monarchs qualified for the state tournament for the first time in 2023 — and they are back again with a freshman that has paved the way. Faith Samek leads Aquinas with a .489 batting average and eight home runs.
DC West (24-8): Sydney Atkins sports a 19-7 record and 3.31 ERA. She also has the biggest hit in DC West history with her ninth home run of the season, sending the Falcons to the state tournament for the first time in school history. Atkins, along with Maddison Zach, have combined for 90 RBIs and 14 home runs.
Fort Calhoun (25-5): The Pioneers met four of Class C’s state qualifiers in its first 12 games of the season. Fort Calhoun went 2-2 with wins over DC West and Aquinas while dropping contests to GACC and Bishop Neumann. Tacey Belina leads the way with eight home runs and 33 RBIs.
GACC (30-4): The Bluejays' four losses this season have each come to state teams. They also have four wins over the rest of the field behind a strong arm in Abigail Toline’s 1.67 ERA and 23-3 record. Shelby Perchal leads the offense behind a .423 average, 40 RBI and six home runs.
Ashland-Greenwood (18-10): The Bluejays won their first state title in 2023 and first women’s championship in 40 years. Junior Reese Fisher and freshman Evie Hofmeister each have a 2.60 ERA, while Ellie Milbum provides the bat with 44 runs, 42 RBI and 13 long balls.
NEN (20-12): The Vipers come in with a potent offense. NEN has combined to hit for 242 RBIs and 259 runs. Allie Rutar leads NEN with 48 RBIs, while Taylor Scholting has contributed 45 runs and 35 RBIs.
Bishop Neumann (29-3): The Cavaliers are on an eight-game winning streak, allowing just four runs over that span. Addison Sylliaasen sports a 24-2 record with a 2.05 ERA. The 1-2 punch of Jillian Johnson and Bridget Whitney pace the offense. Johnson has 11 home runs and 33 RBIs while Whitney has added seven long balls and 38 RBIs.
Tim's pick
Guardian Angels CC.
Ratings
School (rec.) | pvs.
1. Hastings SC (27-3) | 1
2. Bishop Neumann (29-3) | 2
3. Guardian Angels CC (30-4) | 3
4. Fort Calhoun (25-5) | 5
5. Ashland-Greenwood (18-10) | 6
6. DC West (24-8) | 10
7. Aquinas (20-13) | NR
8. NEN (20-12) | NR
9. Twin River (25-10) | 4
10. Kearney Catholic (22-11) | 8
Photos: Lincoln Southwest softball plays for district championship — Oct. 10
Ashland-Greenwood’s Reese Fisher (20) pitches against Central City on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023 during the state softball championships at Bill Smith Softball Complex in Hastings.