Lady Mt’neers kick off season with third place in SWMO Softball Spring tourney

The Mt. Vernon Lady Mt’neers kicked off the season with a third place finish in the SWMO Softball Spring Tournament hosted by Purdy High School on March 21-22, at the Joplin Athletic Complex in Joplin. The team finished 3-1, defeating the Lockwood Lady Tigers 3-2, the Sweet Springs Lady Greyhounds 13-3 and the East Newton Lady Patriots 5-4. Their sole loss was a one point loss (8-7) to their longtime district rival and defending Class 2 State Champion Diamond High School Lady Wildcats.
vs. the Lady Tigers
The Lady Mt’neers got off to a shaky start but snatched the lead late in the 3-2 victory over the Lockwood Lady Tigers. Both teams were strong in the circle and equally matched at the plate. Sophomore Emmie Schubert earned the win for the Lady Mt’neers. The Lady Tigers managed to get on the board after a single to right field allowed one run to cross the plate, a sacrifice bunt would then bring a second run across the plate before sophomore Emmie Schubert shut them down with her first strikeout of the game.
The Lady Mt’neers brought one across the plate in the bottom of the first inning after senior Rae Downing hit a double followed by another double by Schubert. The Lady Mt’neers captured the lead, 3-2, in the bottom of the fourth after junior Lilly Burk tripled to right field allowing sisters, Emmie and Maddie Schubert to each score one run.
Schubert allowed three hits and two runs (zero earned) over five innings, striking out nine. Molly Daniels, Burk, Downing and Schubert each collected one hit for the Lady Mt’neers.
vs. the Lady Greyhounds
Senior Molly Daniels collected four hits in four at bats, as the Lady Mt’neers defeated the Sweet Springs Lady Greyhounds 13-3. Daniels hit an in the park home run in the second inning, singled in the first inning, and doubled in the third and fourth innings. The Lady Mt’neers got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after senior Cheyenne Bieber tripled on a fly ball to left field, scoring one run, followed by a home run by Rae Downing which scored two runs. Sophomore Jocelyn Liss drew a walk and junior Lilly Burk singled, scoring another run and a passed ball scored brought Liss and Burk across the plate. A third strikeout left the Lady Mt’neers with a 6-0 lead at the bottom of the first.
Bieber earned the win. The hurler surrendered zero hits and three runs (two earned) over four innings striking out seven and walking six. The Lady Mt’neers accumulated 14 hits over four innings. Daniels was four-for-four and Downing collected two hits. Burk, Daniels, Downing and Schubert each drove in two runs. The team ran wild on the base path, piling up five stolen bases for the game. Daniels and Burk also turned a double play in the top of the first inning.
vs. Diamond Lady Wildcats
The Lady Mt’neers returned to the fields on Saturday morning against their long time district foe, the Diamond Wildcats. The Wildcats have proven to be their strongest competitor for each of the last four years. The Wildcats bested the Lady Mt’neers in 2022 and 2024, going on to win the Class 2 State Championship both years. The Lady Mt’neers defeated the Wildcats in 2023 for the district title and went on to win the 2023 Class 2 State Championship. This year, the Lady Mt’neers are hoping to reclaim the title.
Saturday’s game against the Wildcats was a heartbreaker for the Lady Mt’neers, as they lost the lead late in an 8-7 defeat.
vs. East Newton Lady Patriots
The Lady Mt’neers finished the weekend against the East Newton Lady Patriots securing the third place finish. The Lady Mt’neers defeated the Lady Patriots, 5-4, after Cheyenne Bieber hit her second home run of the game, bringing the score to 5-4. A home run to center field by Bieber gave the Lady Mt’neers a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Down 2-4 in the bottom of the fifth inning, Bieber then regained the lead with her second home run of the game to right field, scoring three runs and bringing the score to 5-4. Schubert earned the save, she threw one and two-thirds innings in relief giving up one hit, striking out two and walking none.
The Lady Mt’neers kicked off the week hosting the 13th Annual Mt. Vernon Tournament. They played against Buffalo and Springfield Catholic on Monday, and Purdy and Diamond on Tuesday.
They will travel to Purdy and take on the Lady Eagles on Friday at 5 p.m. in a varsity only matchup.