State brackets set for local Kansas baseball/softball teams

PITTSBURG, Kan. – KSHSAA has released brackets for state baseball and softball tournaments next week. There are six coverage-area teams competing in state tournaments.

BASEBALL

2A – #8 St. Mary’s Colgan (9-12) vs. #1 Crest (23-0) – May 26th, 11 AM in Great Bend, KS (FULL BRACKET)

3A – #6 Sabetha (15-7) vs. #3 Columbus (20-2) – May 26th, 5:45 PM in Manhattan, KS (FULL BRACKET)

3A – #5 TMP-Marian (14-5) vs. #4 Girard (20-3) – May 6th, 1:15 PM in Manhattan, KS (FULL BRACKET)

4A – #5 Ottawa (15-6) vs. #4 Iola (16-4) – May 26th, 1:15 PM in Salina, KS (FULL BRACKET)

SOFTBALL

2A – #8 St. Mary’s Colgan (11-12) vs. #1 Ell-Saline (23-0) – May 26th, 5 PM in Pratt, KS (FULL BRACKET)

3A – #5 Frontenac (20-3) vs. #4 Kingman/Norwich (21-2) – May 26th, 7 PM in Manhattan, KS (FULL BRACKET)

Girard hosts CNC track and field championships

WATCH: Girard hosts the CNC track and field championships Thursday.

Girard’s Olivia Cullen wins the shot put with a mark of 38 feet.

Colgan’s Ali Scripsick tops her personal-best in the long jump by more than 7 inches, winning the event with a jump of 16-10.75.

Riverton’s 4X100m girls relay team breaks the CNC and their own school record.

Colgan’s Lily Brown wins the triple jump with a mark of 37 feet, 0.5 inches.

Girard’s Kinley Smith breaks the school record and finishes 2nd in the triple jump with a mark of 35-11.75.

The Girard boys won the CNC team championship

Colgan takes the girls CNC league title.

 

Girard’s Senecaut catches fire to close regular season

GIRARD, Kan. – Girard junior outfielder Emmaline Senecaut has seen a power surge at the plate over the last few weeks.

“It feels good getting hot the the right time,” Senecaut says, “Coach Vinze always says be happy, but never be satisfied. We’re always trying to get better every day.”

Senecaut hit a home run in each of the team’s final four games of the regular season, and she has seven home runs over the team’s last nine games.

“She’s finally trusting her swing. She’s not over-swinging and she’s staying within herself,” says Girard head coach Jim Vinze, “When she gets a little too aggressive and tries to crush the ball, she kind of pulls out a little bit. If she stays within herself, she doesn’t have to generate any extra power because she’s so strong and has such a smooth swing that it takes care of itself.”

“I just feel like I’m seeing the ball pretty well,” Senecaut adds, “We practice hitting every single day. We’ve just been hitting the ball really well as a team right now.”

“She bats in the 3rd spot because she not only hits for power, but she hits for a high average,” Vinze adds, “I think she has the second best average on the team.”

Senecaut is protected in the lineup with catcher Lea McGown batting behind her.

McGown is second on the team in home runs (4) and RBI (22) this season.

“Lea also has power,” Vinze says, “If they try to get too cautious with Emmaline, we have Lea, who will hopefully come in and take up the slack if they try to pitch around her.”

“When I get on base, I know there’s someone behind me to bring me in,” Senecaut says.

“Having her up there gets pitchers nervous,” McGown says of Senecaut, “She’s hitting it well and making all of us better. When she goes out and hits a home run, she gets pitchers down and it gives me a little break when she gets them shaken up.”

Senecaut, McGown and the Trojans are the #3 seed in their 3A regional bracket. They will face Cherrvyale in the first round of the tournament on Monday at approximately 1:45 PM.

Their bracket includes CNC champion Columbus, who is the #1 seed in the region – and another CNC rival in Frontenac that is the #2 seed with a 17-3 overall record.

“This league in the past and in the present is very competitive,” Vinze says, “We have three teams in this regional that I look at…and if one of them go to state, they have a chance to do a ton of damage up there and maybe bring home a state title.”

“It’s going to be a tough regional,” Senecaut says, “It will be fun, and I’m hoping we come out hot.”

Girard shuts out Colgan in regular season finale; Senecaut hits grand slam

PITTSBURG, Kan. – (WATCH) Girard tops Colgan 7-0 in their regular season finale Tuesday afternoon.

Emmaline Senecaut hits a grand slam for the Trojans, while Lexy Robinson strikes out 7.

Defense shines, Columbus sweeps CNC clash with Girard

GIRARD, Kan. – (WATCH) Columbus sweeps a double-header from Girard to get to 16-1 overall this season.

The Titans take game one 3-2 and game two 5-1.

Aubree Saporito allows just one hit in game one, while Graci Major throws a complete game and allows just two hits in game two.

Girard hands Frontenac first loss in extra innings victory

WATCH: Trevor Amershek puts the Trojans on top with a single scoring two in the 8th. Girard beats Frontenac 6-3 in extra innings, handing the Raiders their first loss of the season.

Frontenac and Girard split games in conference showdown

WATCH: Frontenac and Girard split a doubleheader today in CNC softball action. Girard hangs on to win game one 5-4. Frontenac takes the nightcap 8-1.

Both teams entered the day undefeated and now have one loss on the season.

Brutchin homers, Girard tops Pittsburg to move to 7-0

GIRARD, Kan. – (WATCH) Girard softball tops Pittsburg 3-0 on Monday afternoon.

Sam Brutchin hits a solo home run, while Lea McGown collects 2 RBI.

Girard is now 7-0 to start the season.

Bennett dominates, Girard walks it off against Riverton to stay undefeated

WATCH: Girard walks it off against Riverton 1-0. Hunter Bennett pitches a complete game shutout with 12 strikeouts.

In game two, Girard makes it a sweep, winning 5-2. The Trojans improve to a 7-0 overall record.

Girard sweeps Colgan in CNC opener

GIRARD, Kan. – (WATCH) Girard sweeps a double-header from Colgan in their CNC league opener, taking game one 5-0 and game two 10-4.

The Trojans are now 4-0 to begin the season.