Big Bats and Sharp Defense Deliver Victory for Bulldogs

The Kearney Bulldog softball team secured an impressive victory Thursday night, defeating the Raymore-Peculiar Varsity Panthers 8-4 in a game marked by standout performances both at the plate and in the field.

Alyssa Quick launched a three-run homer to right field, hitting the scoreboard. Photo by David Haggart.

Kearney wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, as Alyssa Quick launched a three-run homer to right field, hitting the scoreboard, in the very first inning, electrifying the home crowd and giving the Bulldogs an early edge. The Panthers responded in the top of the second with a solo shot to right field by Zariya Mabion, narrowing the gap.

The Bulldogs broke the game open in the third inning, erupting for five runs on four hits. Caroline Jury delivered a clutch double to bring in two runs, while Bailey Sharp’s fielder’s choice and a subsequent error both plated runners. Brooke Paalhar capped the inning with a sharp single, driving in another run and giving Kearney a comfortable lead.

On the mound, Quick earned the win for Kearney, pitching five and two-thirds innings while allowing just four runs on seven hits. She struck out six and walked five. Reghan Lueken came in to close out the game, earning the save. For Raymore-Peculiar, Reygan Ackley took the loss after giving up eight runs—six of them earned—on six hits over three innings.

Quick also led the Bulldogs with three RBIs. She was supported offensively by Kate Stumpenhaus and Brooke Paalhar, who each collected two hits. The Kearney defense was flawless, going error-free for the game, with Jury leading the way with six defensive plays.

With this victory, the Kearney Bulldogs are 5-2 on the season and continue to build momentum as they move deeper into the season.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Bulldogs Storm Back in Thrilling Victory Over Blue Springs

The Kearney Bulldogs delivered an electrifying performance Wednesday, September 3, rallying from a six-run deficit to topple the Blue Springs Wildcats, 9-6. The home crowd was treated to a display of resilience and power that epitomizes the Bulldog spirit.

On the mound, right-hander Reghan Lueken battled through adversity, pitching a complete game.

Things looked uncertain in the early innings as Blue Springs surged ahead, capitalizing on timely hits and Kearney miscues to build a 6-0 advantage by the middle of the third. The Wildcats’ Raygan Misenhelter sparked the scoring in the second with an RBI single, followed by a costly error that brought three more runners across the plate. Camryn Hoehns added an RBI double, and Mackenzie Turney launched a solo homer in the third, putting the Bulldogs in a deep hole.

But Kearney’s bats refused to stay silent. The Bulldogs began chipping away at the deficit in the bottom of the fourth, ignited by Morgan Pennington’s towering solo homerun to left. Moments later, Ellie Switzer electrified the ballpark with a two-run blast to center, narrowing the gap to 6-4 and shifting the game’s momentum.

With the Bulldogs’ confidence building, Brooke Paalhar delivered a standout performance at the plate, going 3 for 4 and spearheading the comeback. In the fifth inning, Paalhar crushed a solo homer to left, tying the game at 6-6 after a clutch double from Caroline Jury. The Bulldogs smelled victory.

The decisive blow came in the sixth, as Paalhar doubled again to set the table, and Alyssa Quick followed with another double, driving in the go-ahead runs. Before the inning was over, Kearney had stormed ahead, 9-6, and the dugout erupted in cheers.

On the mound, right-hander Reghan Lueken battled through adversity, pitching a complete game. Lueken scattered 11 hits across seven innings, allowing six runs (four earned), striking out two, and walking two. Her determination kept the Wildcats at bay when it mattered most.

Offensively, Kearney racked up 13 hits on the night. Paalhar, Switzer, and Quick each drove in two runs, while Pennington, Jury, and Kennedi Casey joined the multi-hit parade. The Bulldogs also flashed their defensive skills, turning a key double play to thwart a potential Blue Springs rally.

With the comeback win, the Kearney Bulldogs demonstrated tenacity, depth, and heart. The Bulldogs are now 4-2 on the season.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Bulldogs Take Down Fort Osage in Season Opener

The Kearney Bulldogs hosted Class-5, Fort Osage in an annual matchup that is assuming all the characteristics of a rivalry. The Bulldogs are 4-0 over their last four meetings, with Friday’s 36-8 season-opening victory. Rivalry or not, Kearney head coach Logan Minnick consistently schemes up wins against Fort Osage.

Carter temple scored three rushing touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ 36-8 win. (Eric Stevens photo)

“You always worry week one, how your overall execution is going to look. We had very few penalties; I thought we tackled really well which is always an early-season concern and then offensively, we just executed. We moved the sticks and that's what we want to do – move the sticks and put points on the board,” said Minnick.

Both traditionally dominant defenses held each other scoreless until 9:40 in the second quarter when Kearney’s junior quarterback Carter Temple scored on a 5-yard keeper. Drew Nelson’s successful point-after kick put Kearney on the board 7-0.

“Our defense was lights-out all night. I'm so proud of their effort because Fort Osage is a super-physical team and you've got to match their physicality,” said Minnick. “When you get defensive efforts like that, you get a lot more possessions offensively.”

Second-year starting quarterback, Carter Temple made the most of those offensive possessions: 11 of 15 passing completions for 149 yards, 15 carries for 69 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns, and a 2-point conversion pass completion.

“We knew we were coming up against a good team. You know that every single week. You always want to show that you have confidence and you're believing in your guys,” said Temple. “Every single guy on our wide receiver core could start. So, I trust every single one of those guys to go up and get the ball.”

Late in the second quarter, Fort Osage quarterback, Jonathan Ross hit wide receiver Nicholas Penamon on a 6-yard touchdown pass. The missed point-after attempt left the score 7-6.

With 47 seconds remaining, Kearney’s offense advanced the length of the field with impressive precision.  Junior running back transfer, Dryden Hendrix scored on a 6-yard run in his first game as a Kearney Bulldog.

Drew Nelson (14) with the 2-point conversion catch from Carter Temple. (Eric Stevens photo)

The Bulldogs topped off the score with a masterful 2-point conversion pass from Temple to Drew Nelson giving Kearney a 15-6 halftime lead.

“We feel like we can always score. Whether we have thirty seconds, two minutes or twelve minutes left, we can always score. That's how we look at it, no matter what the time is on the clock,” said Temple.  

Kearney took first possession in the second half. Carter Temple scored twice on quarterback keeper plays one for 16 yards, the other for 10 yards.

With a comfortable 29-6 fourth quarter Bulldog lead, Fort Osage had Kearney backed up on their own 1-yard line and forced a safety, making the score 29-8.

With 56 seconds to go in the fourth quarter, Dryden Hendrix iced the game with his second touchdown run. Hendrix finished the evening with nine carries for 56 yards and 2 touchdowns.

“I saw a whole lot of blocking,” said Hendrix.  “The line really made it happen tonight. They opened up the holes and our guys made plays. It was a great night.”

Last year’s Kearney Bulldog 12-1 season ended on a sour note with their semifinal loss to Lutheran North. The state playoffs aren’t guaranteed to anyone, and this 2025 version of the Kearney Bulldogs is fully aware, the championship game isn’t a destination, it’s a process. 

“You know when you get a program rolling the way we have, it's not rebuild, it's reload. It's next man up,” said head coach Logan Minnick. “We graduate dudes every year and then it's another dude's turn. Our hashtag this year is “next level” and we're going to continue to take this program to the next level.”

KPGZ News – Mike Davis contributed to this story.