WACO Softball

06/07/2026

After week 2 of softball, we have 2 more players nominated for KCII Athlete of the Week: junior OF/IF Mei Leichty and sophomore pitcher Savannah Harris!

Mei is currently towards the top of the conference in on-base percentage and has shown flexibility in the lineup, contributing to wherever she is slotted that night. Mei's body has also been a target of pitches, as she is second in the conference in hit by pitches (4 times).

Savannah has been holding the fort down as our pitcher, focusing on using the defense behind her and pitching well to start off games. A couple bad innings doesn't reflect on how well she has pitched: she has given up 67 runs, with only 23 being earned runs.

To vote, click on the original KCII post and comment "WACO" to cast your vote. Thank you for the support and congrats to these two girls!

Listeners, it's time to highlight the local boys and girls of summer with the KCII Area Athlete of the Week poll. We have a pair of representatives for each school listed. Cast your vote by commenting on this poll post. One vote/comment per person only. We'll feature the winning school's athletes on the KCII PM Sports Page 6/10 and 6/11 Voting ends at 9PM Sunday, 6/7.

Washington- Softball Colbie Greiner, Baseball Ty Wright- Greiner has done it both at the plate and in the circle in the early season for the Demons. Her seven RBI, second in the Southeast Conference, and three home runs lead the Washington bats and are third in 3A. Greiner has seven total hits, three runs scored and a .241 average, .241OBP, with .552 slug and .793OPS. She's earned a pair of wins in the circle for Washington, working 32 innings with 26 strikeouts, third in conference, and a 3.64 ERA. This week she finished with five RBI, four hits, three homers and three runs scored while striking out 12 with her arm, including a homer and earning the win in the circle against 5A City High. Wright is Washington's average leader at .500, OBP leader at .533, slug leader at .929, second in the Southeast Conference, and OPS leader at 1.462, third best in conference. He is tied for the Demon lead with seven total hits and a homer to go with three RBI and three runs scored. On the mound, he leads Washington with a .143 batting average against to go with a 17.18ERA, and four strikeouts in three and two thirds innings. This week in a doubleheader against Burlington he finished with a homer, two RBI and a run scored.

Mid-Prairie- Softball Kadence Grout, Baseball Brooks Weber- Grout has helped the Golden Hawk girls to their best start at 6-0, and first state ranking in 11 years. The Hawks checked in at No. 14 in this week's Class 3A poll from the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. This season, she has nine total hits, eight runs scored, seven RBI with a team best .524 average, .600OBP, .714 slug and 1.314OPS, and is one of three Hawks with a homer. Defensively, she has not made an error at first base. In a two-game sweep of West Branch this week by a combined 19-6 score, Grout had four total hits, scored three runs, drove in three and homered. Weber is the Mid-Prairie leader with a .407 average, .529OBP and .852 slug, 13RBI, ninth in 2A, 11 hits, 10 runs scored and three homers. Weber has a 1.314OPS. He was right in the middle of Mid-Prairie's sweep of the West Branch Bears in a doubleheader, including throwing a complete game 4-3 win where he struck out 13. Against the Bears later in the week, he belted three homers in one contest, tying him for the 2A lead in Iowa. Weber finished the week with eight RBI, five total hits, four runs scored and three homers.

Hillcrest Academy- Softball Lyla Genkinger, Baseball Rowan Miller- Genkinger has gotten the most work of any Raven in the circle, throwing 18 innings with a 3.44ERA and recording one of two wins this week, sporting a .205 opponent average and 21Ks during that time. At the plate, she has compiled a .267 average, .389OBP, .333 slug and .722OPS, with four hits, four RBI and a run scored. This week, Genkinger struck out eight in the circle with a hit, a run and an RBI. Miller has a Raven best six runs scored and six walks to go with the only Hillcrest homer. Miller has six runs scored, five RBI and four total hits. Miller is hitting .400, with a .588OBP, .800slug, third in the Southeast Iowa Superconference, and 1.388OPS. On the mound he is 1-0 with a complete game win over Highland with three hits, one unearned run and 10 strikeouts.

Lone Tree- Softball Alyson Ford, Baseball Kort Kemp- Ford is hitting .318 for the Lady Lions with a 375OBP, .409 slug and .784OPS. Ford has seven hits, four runs driven in and two runs scored. This week she finished with two hits, two runs scored, and two driven in including a home run in a rivalry game with Highland. Kemp is hitting .235 with a .278OBP, .294 slug and .572OPS. At the plate he is tied for the team lead with four hits and has a run scored. On the mound Kemp has worked in four games, all starts. Across 16 innings he has 18 strikeouts, 11 earned runs and a .309 opponent average against, and 4.81ERA.

Columbus- Softball Daniella Diaz, Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union Baseball Trevor Phillips- Diaz is hitting .300 this year with a team best, .562OBP, .500 slug and 1.062OPS including three total hits, two runs scored and an RBI. Phillips has a .387 average at the plate with a .525OBP, .387 slug and .912OPS. His average leads the team, so do his 12 hits. Phillips has scored eight runs and driven in five. On the mound he has worked in five games and across nine innings has a .161 opponent average against, nine earned runs and 21 strikeouts, third in the Superconference.

WACO- Softball Mei Leichty, Savannah Harris- This duo has things covered for the Warriors at the plate and on the mound. Leichty has a team best .500 average, .692OBP, second in the Southeast Iowa Superconference, .500slug,1.192OPS and four hits. Liechty has driven in a pair of runs and scored three times. In the circle, Harris has worked all but two innings this season. She leads WACO with her pitching win, the first for the program in a decade, along with 20 strikeouts and a seven ERA, with a .363 opponent average.

Keota- Softball Cameron Haifley, Baseball Blake Baker- Haifley is hitting .333 on the year with a .429OBP, .583 slug and 1.102OPS. She has four hits, three doubles, and three RBI with a team leading six runs scored. Baker is hitting .462 with a .500OBP, .615 slug and 1.115OPS to go with six hits, six driven in and three runs scored. On the hill, he has two wins to lead the team, a .156 opponent average with two earned runs allowed, and 30 strikeouts, eighth in Class 1A, in just 15 innings.

Sigourney- Softball Kia Montgomery, Baseball Landon Conrad- Montgomery leads the Savages with a .400 average, .429OBP, .400 slug and .829OPS, eight hits and four stolen bases. She has scored three runs and driven in another. Conrad is hitting .368 for the top 10 Savages with a .538OBP, .474slug, 1.012OPS. He has seven total hits, five RBI and three runs scored. On the mound, Conrad is unbeaten at 2-0 with a .083 average against, 1.47ERA and WHIP under one.

06/06/2026

The #1 LM Falcons took down the Warriors 16-0. We escaped the first inning tied 0-0 with some good defensive catches. We have played well in the first inning of games, but in the second and third innings we gave up a few home runs and a couple errors allowed runners to advance into scoring position.

LM has set the standard to be an elite program and for one inning tonight we showed we can play with them. That is a major positive improvement to cling on to as we progress forward. We have faced two top-5 ranked teams and escaped the first inning tied 0-0 in both games.

We’re off until Monday practice and can all benefit from some rest and relaxation. These Warriors are discovering their team identity and we will keep marching forward!

Keep fighting, Warriors!

06/05/2026

The Class 2A #1 LM Falcons make the trip to Wayland tonight as the Warriors look to pull off the biggest upset in the state.

JV-5:00
Varsity-7:00

06/04/2026

Non-conference action tonight in Wayland as the Eagles soar in from Keota vs the Warriors. Summer weather is in full effect and it will be a great night for softball!

JV-5:00 PM
Varsity-6:30 PM

06/03/2026

WACO drops the game to the Lone Tree Lions 20-3. After giving up two in the top of the first, the Warriors fired back with two runs of their own. After the first inning the Lions took advantage of a handful of errors that extended the lead.

We had some of our best hits of the year off one of the better pitchers in the conference, but the deficit was too much to overcome.

We’re back at home Thursday for a non-conference matchup vs Keota. One thing being preached is to have a “short memory” so we can put this game in the rear view and correct things tomorrow at practice.

Keep your heads up, Warriors!

06/02/2026

We begin our 3 game home stand this week starting tonight vs Lone Tree. Come cheer on these Warriors!

JV-5:00 PM
Varsity-7:00 PM

06/02/2026

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https://www.southeastiowaunion.com/winfield-wayland/sports/waco-softball-makes-long-awaited-return-to-winning-ways/article_a40ff6f1-4490-4222-908a-1694b074feeb.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_Southeast_Iowa_Union&fbclid=IwY2xjawSMA_hleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETI1czYwTWVVeHlQUUFVQ1dIc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHsSROvO71llXZbNvb6YqjEfZN20mII9loRWFtkUlNAA45T0JSxlcM5g1gF67_aem_vnzO1FeO0tdbOC9lz7GlYw

WACO softball makes long-awaited return to winning ways ⬇️ Click the link in comments to read more

05/31/2026

This week's KCII Athlete of the Week features many girls from our softball team and the girls and boys track team.

Carlee Lunsford and her relay teams from track are featured after their recent performances at the state meet.
Kinsey Hildebrand, Lizzy Gerot, and Savannah Harris are all nominated for their performance vs Columbus this past week which helped propel the program to their first win in a decade.

Getting the win was a historic moment for the program and these girls played a big part in it. To vote, you need to open KCII's post and comment "WACO" to vote.

Congrats to all the area athletes on their nominations, and again, a huge congrats to our softball girls for their winning contributions to propel us to our first win!

WAY TO GO, WACO SOFTBALL!
WACO CSD, Wayland, Iowa

*VOTING HAS CLOSED*
Listeners, we're bridging the spring and summer sports seasons with this week's KCII Area Athlete of the Week poll. Cast your vote by commenting on this poll post. Vote for one local school's group of athletes to highlight. One vote/comment per person only. We'll feature the winning schools athletes on the KCII PM Sports Page 6/3 and 6/4. Voting ends at Noon Monday 6/1.

Washington: Iris Dahl, Leighton Messinger, Josh Anderson, Andrew Rees, and Sawyer Tschantz. This group of seniors led Washington at the Class 3A State meet at Drake Stadium in Des Moines. Dahl and Messinger put up points for the Demons with each in the distance medley relay where they finished eighth. Both also ran the 4x400. Messinger scored a fourth place finish in the 400 hurdles and was part of the seventh place 4x2 relay. Dahl ran the half mile and mile individually. The Demon boys had three seniors at state. Josh Anderson with a state-runner up performance and three thirds in his wheelchair 100, 200, 400 and 800 events. Andrew Rees and Sawyer Tschantz were part of the seventh place scoring 4x800 while Rees was solo 11th in the mile.

Mid-Prairie: Jovi Evans, Sophie Miller, Harper Pacha, Delani Blum, Paiton Chittick, Ryan Henry, Max Kipp, Niva Helmuth, Meadow Flynn, Naomi Wadsworth, and Claire Trimpe. It has been an incredible stretch for Golden Hawk Athletics in late May. The Mid-Prairie girls track and field team finished as State team Runners-Up in Class 2A in Des Moines, sending 19 total events to State. Golden Hawk seniors Jovi Evans, Sophie Miller and Harper Pacha were all involved in scoring events at Drake Stadium. The Mid-Prairie girls golf team broke school records at State in Marshalltown, led by seniors Delani Blum and Paiton Chittick, who went out on top. The Hawks finished 3rd in 2A, the best ever in school history, with record setting team rounds on both days of the tournament. The Golden Hawk boys track team sent a dozen events to State in Des Moines. The Hawks had sophomore Ryan Henry in the 100 and 4x200 and junior Max Kipp in the shuttle hurdle relay headline scoring events at Drake Stadium. In playoff soccer the Golden Hawk girls won an instant classic in the first round, taking down rival Washington 1-0. The Hawks outlasted the Demons through regulation, two overtime periods and seven penalty kicks, led by senior goalkeeper Niva Helmuth who stopped five Demon PKs and senior striker Meadow Flynn who knocked in one of the winning Golden Hawk PKs. The Golden Hawk girls of summer are off to a red-shot start at 4-0, led by a pair on each side of the ball. Sophomore Claire Trimpe has swung a hot stick, hitting .538 with a team-best seven hits, with eight runs scored and four driven in. In the circle, freshman Naomi Wadsworth is out to a 3-0 start with wins over Tipton, Keokuk and Mt. Pleasant. She is locked in with a 2.06 ERA and averaging more than a strike out per inning.

Hillcrest Academy: Girls 4x100m relay, Claire Withrow, Rowan Miller & Lincoln Miller- Raven sports finished spring on a state championship high note and started summer with a bang this week. The Hillcrest Academy girls 4x100m relay team of Rya Scott, Adia Scott, Karina Bourha and Niva Helmuth stole the show at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, winning the Class 1A State Championship on the blue oval with a new school record time. Raven golf sent an individual to each of the boys and girls Class 1A State Tournaments with seniors Rowan Miller competing in Newton and Claire Withrow in Boone. The boys of summer got the season started this week in Wapello and the Ravens got a dominant outing from Lincoln Miller on the mound, throwing a complete game, one hit shut out at the Indians, while striking out 14 in their opening win.

Highland: Girls Golf Team, Hailey Brun, Kamryn Fink, Kinzie Ruess, Alexa Hahn, Jillian Stransky, Ella Schlabaugh, Adley Sweeting, Bryce Hazelett- The Highland Huskies have enjoyed success across all sports in the last week. The Huskies girls golf team traveled to Boone and the Class 1A State Championships this week. The group of Adisyn Prottsman, Joslyn Prottsman, Emersyn Schultz, Autumn Guseman, Cassidy Duster and Kenzie Davis finished as 1A team runners-up, best in school history. Adisyn Prottsman finished top three individually. At State track in Des Moines, the Huskies 4x100m team of Hailey Brun, Kamryn Fink, Kinzie Ruess and Alexa Hahn made finals and scored points for the Huskies with a sixth place finish. Hahn also scored individually in long jump finishing eighth. The Highland softball team is ranked in the top five in 1A and has rolled to a 3-0 start, beating Columbus, Danville and WACO by a combined 36-0 score. Freshman Jillian Stransky has dominated the circle with a 3-0 record and 20 strikeouts in just 14 innings. At the plate, Ella Schlabaugh and Adley Sweeting hold the team lead in hits, RBI, and average for a Highland team scoring more than a dozen runs a game. Highland baseball is 3-1 and Bryce Hazelett has been the do-it-all-leader. He has a team best 12 hits, 12 runs, .667 average, 10 stolen bases, two pitching wins and 14 strikeouts.

Lone Tree: Ava Christofferson, Abby Zaruba, Adi Parizek- This Lady Lion trio has been impressive on state-wide and local stages this spring and summer. Senior Ava Christofferson took three events to the 1A State track meet, finishing fifth in long jump, eighth in the 100m and 16th in the 200. On the diamond, Lone Tree softball is 3-2 with Adi Parizek the leader at the plate with a .643 average, nine total hits and five extra base hits. Abby Zaruba's arm has led Lone Tree to three wins, averaging more than a strikeout an inning.

Columbus: Alex Rees & Tyson Kaalberg- This Wildcat duo was dominant in hurdle events at the 2026 State Track and Field meet in Des Moines. Individually, Rees was part of a 1-2 State Championship and Runner-up finish in the 110 highs, placing second. Tyson Kaalberg joined Rees in the shuttle hurdle to set a Columbus school record time in a sixth place state finish. The Wildcats scored 30 points as a team to place sixth in Class 2A.

Winfield-Mt. Union: Gavin Prior, Jaxton Jones, Quin Smith, Grant Anderson, Max Edwards, Konner Kinneberg, Nick Sparrow- This senior seven from Winfield-Mt. Union represented the Wolves at the State level across three different sports in the last week. Gavin Prior and Jaxton Jones were the veteran leaders of a WMU shuttle hurdle team that competed on the blue oval to a 12th place finish in 1A at state track. School high jump record-holder Quin Smith wrapped up her career at State with a third place finish in the event in Des Moines. Boys senior golfers Grant Anderson, Max Edwards, Konner Kinneberg and Nick Sparrow led the Wolves back to the Class 1A State Tournament in Newton where they finished 12th as a team.

WACO: Boys & Girls 4x800s and Distance Medley, Savannah Harris, Kinsey Hildebrand, Lizzy Gerot- The Warrirors put together a big week in both spring and summer sports in the last seven days. The Warrior boys and girls distance crews were in the spotlight at Drake Stadium in Des Moines. The girls 4x800 team of Carlee Lunsford, Macie Carter, Aliya Graber and Josie Dykstra were fourth in 1A as was the distance medley of Ryen Pepper, Taelyn Egli, Carlee Lunsford and Dykstra. The boys crew also scored at state with a seventh place finish in each of the 4x800 with Locken Henderson, Garrett Landau, Gavin Slagel and Jude Dykstra and the distance medley with Hayden Shelman, Bryson Waterhouse, Henderson and Dykstra. Summer sports started with a historic win for the WACO softball team, who knocked off Columbus 17-7 for their first victory on the diamond since 2016. In the four inning win over the Wildcats, the Warriors got big nights at the plate from Kinsey Hildebrand with four RBI, Lizzy Gerot with two RBI and Savannah Harris who threw four innings with six strikeouts and recorded the first win in a decade.

Keota: Ayden Galindo, Brycen Horras, Blake Baker- Three Eagles showed out in spring and summer sports this week. Ayden Galindo made his return to the 1A State track meet in high jump, finishing 12th at Drake Stadium. Brycen Horras and Blake Baker have helped Keota to a 3-1 start on the baseball diamond. Horras is sizzling at the plate with a team-leading .857 average, 12 hits, seven runs scored and three stolen bases in four games. Baker has a pair of wins on the mound, an ERA under one and is averaging two strikeouts per inning.

Sigourney: Troy Klett, Addison Yates, Ellie Yates, Josh Wyatt, Solon Yates, Jordan Tremmel, Ryker Van Den Huevel, Chase Clarahan- Three Savage sports are in the spotlight for spring and summer accomplishments. Senior distance runners Troy Klett, Addison Yates and Ellie Yates all finished their careers on the blue oval at Drake Stadium at the 1A state meet. The Sigourney boys golf team put together a top 10 team finish at the Class 1A meet in Newton, led by the trio of Solon Yates, Josh Wyatt and Jordan Tremmel. On the baseball diamond, the No. 8 ranked Savages are 4-1 with Ryker Van Den Huevel's .615 average, 11RBI, and eight hits best at the plate while Chase Clarahan owns a 1-0 record in nine innings with no earned runs allowed and more than a strikeout per inning.