Powerful Pitching Propels Kearney to Shutout Victory

The Kearney Bulldog softball team dominated on the diamond Saturday, shutting out the Winnetonka Griffins 10-0 behind a stellar pitching performance from Kate Landewee. The right-hander was nearly untouchable, striking out 11 batters and allowing no hits or runs over five innings, with just one walk.

Kearney’s offense wasted no time getting started, putting four runs on the board in the bottom of the first. Alyssa Quick kicked off the scoring with a sacrifice fly, followed by Morgan Pennington’s single, a walk drawn by Kate Stumpenhaus, and a line drive single from Chloe Garrett—each driving in a run.

The Bulldogs kept the pressure on in the second, tacking on two more runs thanks to a sacrifice fly by Pennington and a single down the left field line from Stumpenhaus. Their momentum continued through the third inning, where Garrett launched a solo home run to left field and Brooke Paalhar came through with a single that brought home two more runs.

Winnetonka’s Mackenzie Halderman took the loss, pitching four innings and giving up 10 runs—eight of those earned—on 10 hits, while striking out three and walking six.

Kearney racked up 10 hits throughout the game, with Paalhar leading the way at the plate, going 2-for-3 and driving in three runs. Garrett, Paalhar, and Reese Narron each collected two hits. Kennedi Casey showed patience, drawing three walks and stealing two bases. The Bulldogs’ discipline at the plate paid off, as they drew a total of six walks. Defensively, the team played error-free ball, with Caroline Jury contributing 12 plays to anchor the field.

With this win, Kearney moves to the final round of the Class 4, District 8 tournament and play the Platte County Pirates on Tuesday, October 21 at 4:30 pm.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Powers Past Liberty North Eagles 12-3

Kate Landewee delivered a standout performance for Kearney, earning the win after four hitless, scoreless innings with nine strikeouts and three walks. Photo by David Haggart.

The Kearney softball team took home a decisive 12-3 victory over the Liberty North Varsity Eagles on Monday, October 13, fueled by an explosive third inning that saw the Bulldogs score seven runs. This brings the end of the regular season for the Bulldogs who netted their 4th straight Suburban Blue Conference Championship which makes it a perfect 4 for 4 for 9 senior bulldog players.

Liberty North struck first in the second inning when Avary Sharpnack hit a two-run shot to center field, putting the Eagles on the board early. The Eagles added another run in the third after Alex Couch singled to center field, but Kearney was quick to respond and seize the momentum.

Kearney answered in the third inning with Brooke Paalhar blasting a home run to center field, driving in three runs. Moments later, Kate Stumpenhaus sent a homer to left field, adding two more to the tally, and Ellie Switzer capped the rally with another home run to center, scoring two more for Kearney.

The action didn’t stop there. In the bottom of the fifth, Alyssa Quick launched a solo home run to center, further extending Kearney’s lead and energizing the home crowd.

On the mound, Kate Landewee delivered a standout performance for Kearney, earning the win after four hitless, scoreless innings with nine strikeouts and three walks. Reghan Lueken started for the Bulldogs, pitching three innings and allowing two hits and three runs while striking out four. Liberty North’s Endsley Lierman took the loss, giving up seven runs—four earned—on five hits across two and two-thirds innings.

The Bulldogs finished the game with 10 hits. Brooke Paalhar was a key contributor, going 2-for-4 and driving in three runs. Quick, Paalhar, and Kennedi Casey each collected two hits for the Bulldogs. Kearney’s defense was flawless, with no errors committed, and Caroline Jury led the team with 13 chances in the field.

For Liberty North, Sharpnack was a bright spot in the lineup, going 1-for-3 with two RBIs, while Couch added a hit and Addie Schneider drew two walks. The Eagles showed patience at the plate, working five walks over the course of the game.

The Bulldogs move past the first round of District Postseason play with a bye but will play the winner of the William Chrisman/Winnetonka Quarterfinal game on Saturday, October 18, at noon at William Chrisman High School, 1223 N Noland Rd, Independence, MO. Live coverage will begin on 102.7FM KPGZ at approximately 11:30 am, weather permitting.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Quick Leads Bulldogs to 20-0 Victory Over Grandview

Alyssa Quick also made history, surpassing the previous home run record with her 33rd career blast.

The Kearney Bulldogs softball team dominated the Grandview Bulldogs with a commanding 20-0 win on Monday, powered by an outstanding performance from senior Alyssa Quick. Quick launched two home runs and drove in four runs, helping set the pace for the Bulldogs’ explosive offense.

The game was decided early, with Kearney erupting for 16 runs in the first inning. Kennedi Casey started the rally with a run-scoring single, followed by a triple from Brooke Paalhar that brought another run home. Quick contributed a sacrifice fly and then homered to left field, while Caroline Jury hit a three-run shot. Ellie Switzer doubled, Reese Narron tripled, and Paalhar hit another home run, each adding to the tally. Quick’s solo homer and run-scoring hits by Kate Stumpenhaus, Bailey Sharp, Switzer, and Bailey Barnes capped off the inning.

Brooke Paalhar broke the school’s career hits record, raising the mark to 210 hits.

Kearney kept up the momentum in the second, adding four more runs on six hits. Paalhar doubled in a run, Quick homered to center for two more, and Bentley Thorne singled to drive in the game’s final run.

On the mound, Reghan Lueken earned the win for Kearney, pitching three shutout innings without allowing a hit. Lueken struck out seven and walked just one batter. Grandview’s Morgan Hampton took the loss, giving up 10 runs (seven earned) on eight hits in less than an inning of work.

Kearney finished the game with 20 hits, led by Paalhar and Sharp, who each collected three. Multiple hits also came from Morgan Pennington, Switzer, Jury, and Casey. Pennington showed her speed by stealing two bases, and the Bulldogs played error-free defense, with Jury making eight plays.

This victory was more than just a win for Kearney—it was a record-setting night. Brooke Paalhar broke the school’s career hits record, raising the mark to 210 hits. Alyssa Quick also made history, surpassing the previous home run record with her 33rd career blast, a milestone for Kearney softball.

The Bulldogs’ combination of powerful hitting, strong pitching, and flawless defense made for a night to remember, as they continue to build on their season’s successes. They are currently 23-5 this season.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story.