Platte County’s softball team built an early cushion with a powerful and patient offensive display, weathered Belton’s rallies and kept swinging back until the final out. Now, the Pirates are headed to the State Final Four.
Platte County punched its ticket to State with a 13-9 victory over Belton in the state quarterfinals Oct. 24 at Platte County High School. The Pirates used a five-run first inning to establish control, then answered each Belton push with timely hits and enough defensive execution to close out a wild afternoon.
The victory sends Platte County to Springfield for the 51st MSHSAA Class 4 State Softball Tournament, where the Pirates will return for the fifth time, and first since 2021.
“I’m just really proud of the girls,” Platte County coach Callie Peoples said. “They didn’t give up for the entire game.”
The Pirates wasted little time establishing their intentions. Playing as the visiting team after a pregame coin flip, Platte County needed just four pitches to put its first run on the board.
Junior second baseman Kinleigh Howren sent a 2-1 pitch over the fence in right field, striking the scoreboard for a leadoff home run. The opposite-field shot was her sixth homer of the season and provided an immediate spark for a Platte County lineup that would keep Belton’s defense busy throughout the afternoon.
Platte County greets junior second baseman Kinleigh Howren at home plate after her leadoff home run on Oct. 24.
The Pirates kept the pressure on after the opening blast, putting runners on base and forcing Belton to work through a difficult first inning. With two outs, Caroline Reynolds drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home another run.
The inning continued when Reynolds and Grace Shippee scored on a throwing error, giving Platte County a 4-0 advantage. Kelly Bullano followed with an RBI double to center field to cap the five-run outburst and put the Pirates firmly in front.
Platte County added to its lead in the second inning, loading the bases with three walks to open the frame. Howren scored on a wild pitch before Shippee delivered a two-run single to center, pushing the Pirates’ advantage to 8-1.
For a team that averaged double-digit runs throughout the season, the early production was a welcome return to form. Platte County scored just twice in its district semifinal before winning the district championship with five runs, but the offense showed no signs of slowing against Belton.
The game, however, was far from settled.
Belton answered with a two-out rally in the bottom of the second, sending seven consecutive batters to first base safely and cutting Platte County’s lead to 8-5. A combination of hits, walks and defensive miscues brought the Pirates into a precarious situation with Belton eventually loading the bases and threatening to make it an even tighter contest.
The inning drew flashbacks to Platte County’s earlier 15-14 loss to Belton during the regular season. Another shootout was developing, and the Pirates needed to prevent the momentum from swinging entirely to their opponent.
Bryli Seifert went 2-for-3 with a homer and remained active at shortstop throughout the contest.
Senior pitcher Reagan Ball eventually escaped the jam, with senior shortstop Bryli Seifert helping secure the final out on a ground ball. Ball, who pitched the complete game, then retired the next six batters in order to settle things down.
“I just told them we weren’t done on offense,” Peoples said. “I knew we weren’t done, we just needed to get our outs and get out of that inning, then be able to go back and score some more.”
Platte County followed through in the fourth inning when Seifert provided an emphatic response.
The senior drove a 2-1 pitch over the fence in left-center field for a solo home run, pushing the lead to 9-5 and extending a program record with her 18th homer of the season.
The Pirates added another run later in the inning when Eva Bane lined an RBI single to left field, bringing home Shippee. Platte County then pushed its advantage to 11-5 in the fifth, when Ball was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score Howren.
Belton continued to fight, scoring in the bottom of the fifth to make it 11-6. But the Pirates answered again in the sixth, with Howren driving in Brynna Peterson on a single to right.
Seifert opened the seventh with a triple, then scored on Shippee’s infield single to give Platte County a 13-6 lead.
Belton refused to go quietly. The hosts put together another rally in the bottom half, scoring three runs on a combination of hits and a defensive error before a fielder’s choice brought home another run.
Suddenly, the Pirates’ seven-run cushion shrank to 13-9, with Belton’s tying run looming in the background. Once again, Platte County needed one more defensive stand.
Seifert took charge of the final moments. After making a diving catch to her right in the sixth inning, the senior shortstop handled a pair of ground balls in the seventh before recording the final out on an infield pop-up with two outs and runners on the corners.
Bryli Seifert and Reagan Ball embrace after the final out against Belton clinched a State Final Four berth.
“I was just telling myself, catch this ball, squeeze it, and do what I normally do on a normal pop fly,” Seifert said. “Nothing different except it’s obviously the final out.”
The catch secured the victory and unleashed the emotions of a team that had fought through every challenge Belton presented.
“I immediately went to my pitcher because I was already in the circle,” Seifert said. “I let a couple tears go because I was just so excited.”
The moment carried special meaning for Seifert and her senior teammates, who will make their first trip to State.
“As a senior, it feels amazing going out with a bang,” Seifert said. “This team is like my family, so being able to do this with them is an awesome experience.”
Kinleigh Howren scored three runs against Belton, going 2-for-3 at the plate with a pair of RBIs and two walks.
The offensive numbers reflected more than just power or timely hitting. Platte County drew 11 walks in 43 plate appearances, repeatedly putting pressure on Belton’s pitching staff.
In a game where nerves were rampant for both sides, Platte County remained composed and controlled. That composure came from Platte County’s preparation.
“We’ve been talking a lot about how confidence is a choice,” Peoples said. “Sometimes you might not always feel confident, but sometimes you’ve got to fake it ’til you make it. Confidence is a choice you choose. You feel nervous when you’re not prepared, but you’re excited when you’re ready.”
That mindset will follow the Pirates into the Final Four, where the stakes will be even higher but the approach will remain the same.
“They have to keep doing what they have been doing,” Peoples said. “We don’t change anything just because it’s State. They just keep playing their game and go have fun.”
Platte County will face No. 2-ranked Helias Catholic (24-6) in the semifinal at noon Thursday, Oct. 29, at Killian Softball Complex in Springfield. The winner advances to the state championship game at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30, against Parkway West or St. Dominic. The third-place game is scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday.
“They are ready for it,” Peoples said. “I’m just excited for them to experience this. Not a single girl on this team has been to State, so I’m just really excited for them, proud of them and ready for them to go out and get business done.”
For a Platte County team that has navigated some postseason challenges and responded to adversity at every turn, the opportunity represents a chance to make the most of an experience none of its players has had before.
“Fight,” Seifert said. “Whatever happens, happens. This is a great opportunity and experience for our team. Clawing and fighting, competing our best.”