In six final four appearances, MHS varsity softball has never taken home a State title. But this weekend, the team hopes to change that.

On Friday, the Mustangs will play their first final four game against the Joplin Eagles in Springfield, MO. If they win, the team will advance to the championship game against either Fox High School or Staley High School.

Chris Meador, varsity softball coach, said the team has been working hard to prepare for State.

“The team has stayed focused and continued to work and prepare for our next test,” Meador said. “We expect to compete the best we can and play to the best of our abilities. Hopefully we’ll bring MHS home a State title.”

The Mustangs’ offense is one of their strengths, Meador said, with a strong batting line up. But staying relaxed might be a challenge for the team.

“Our weaknesses are only that we need to play relaxed and not make the game bigger than it is,” Meador said. “It’s still played the same as the first game of the year.”

Co-captain Annie Kroeger, shortstop, said she’s excited to play in the final four.

“I’m not nervous right now but before game time I’ll probably be nervous,” Kroeger said. “But once I step up there in the box and take the first swing I’ll be fine.”

As far as preparation, Kroeger said the team has been trying to have fun and relax before the big game on Friday.

“We’ve just been going through our normal practices because I feel like if we go any harder or more intense, we won’t do good at State so right now we’re just preparing with normal practices, having fun, and keeping the momentum going,” Kroeger said.

The Mustangs have never played Joplin, but Kroeger said having a strong defense will be crucial to beating the Eagles.

“We’ve heard they’re similar to Fox in how they hit,” Kroeger said. “Their 1-9 are all really good hitters so if we can shut that down we can shut them down.”

During the game, communication will be key, she said.

“If we don’t have momentum, we stop talking as a team, and that really gets us in a hole because if you can’t talk, you can’t communicate on the field,” Kroeger said.

While Kroeger is hoping to advance to the finals, she said that overall she’s excited just to compete at State.

“I don’t care if we lose both games,” Kroeger said. “We can get fourth, I really don’t care. I’m happy we’re there. But I hope we continue the winning streak.”

Haley Munn, second baseman, also said that she’s proud of the team just for making it to the final four.

“We’re just going to try and take it one game at a time,” Munn said. “It’s cool to get there and everything, but I won’t be too disappointed if we lose because we’re one of four teams and that’s something really cool to say.”

Munn said that the Mustangs need to keep up their momentum and not get too nervous about the game.

“In our quarterfinal game, the first couple of innings we were excited but also nervous because everyone was there and so our coach is just preparing us like it’s any other game,” Munn said.
We just need to play like we’ve been playing all season.”

Munn said she’s excited to represent MHS at State, and no matter what the outcome is, she’s excited to compete.

“This is a really really cool way to end senior year,” Munn said. “I never would have thought that we would have made it this far but we’re taking it one game at a time.”