Quick Leads Bulldogs to 20-0 Victory Over Grandview

Alyssa Quick 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.

Kearney Prevails 28-14 over Grain Valley

The Kearney Bulldogs drew one of the toughest schedules imaginable; opening their season against Fort Osage and later facing in order: Smithville, Park Hill, North Kansas City and Grain Valley. Kearney remains 6-0 and sits at the top of Missouri Class-4.

Kearney Prevails 28-14 over Grain Valley. Photo by Ray Weikal.

“We know we're battle tested. When we go at this thing and try to make a run at (a title) you know it's going to be that way,” said Head Coach Logan Minnick. “We've got two teams in our district ranked in the top five in class-4, so it's not long before we're playing huge games again.”

Grain Valley mobilized every strength they could muster right up to the final minutes with 6-man defensive fronts, and a vicious ground attack behind sophomore running back, Dawson Head who ran for 144 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries.

Despite a brilliant effort by the visiting eagles, they couldn’t contain an overwhelming Kearney offensive attack. Bulldog quarterback Carter Temple scored twice in the first half on 1-yard and 4-yard runs. With 23 seconds remaining in the second quarter, Temple hit Dryden Hendrix on a 24-yard screen pass. Hendrix shed five, would-be tacklers on his way to the end zone as Kearney took a 21-7 halftime lead.

“Those last two wins against class-6 teams were definitely tough, but tonight was honestly a little tougher,” said Kearney senior linebacker Konner Dampier. “They were some big dudes and were technically sound, but we came out with the win tonight.”

Temple ran the football 21 times for 74 yards and 3 touchdowns. His final score, with 59 seconds remaining in the game, was on a reverse-field cutback move that left Grain Valley defenseless.

Kearney running back Matthew Lindsey rushed for 78 yards on 8 carries, Hendrix had 37 yards and a touchdown. Overall, the Bulldog offense had 198 yards rushing and threw for 143 to the Eagles’ 157 rushing and 32 passing yards.

Kearney hosts Raytown South next week for Homecoming.

KPGZ News – Mike Davis contributed to this story.

Bulldogs Execute Another Shutout Win

Ellie Switzer came up big with a single that cleared the bases for three runs. Photo by David Haggart.

The Kearney Bulldog Softball team delivered a commanding performance Tuesday, defeating the Excelsior Springs Tigers 7-0 behind a dominant shutout pitched by Reghan Lueken. The Bulldogs’ pitching and timely hitting kept the Tigers off the board at Kearney High School.

Kearney struck first in the opening inning when Alyssa Quick doubled to bring in two runs, setting the tone early for the Bulldogs. Quick continued her strong night in the third, blasting a solo home run over center field to extend the lead. The Bulldogs pulled away in the sixth inning, scoring four runs to secure the victory. Ellie Switzer came up big with a single that cleared the bases for three runs, while Reese Narron added another run with a single of her own.

Excelsior Springs pitcher Kayden Rogers worked six innings, allowing seven runs—four of them earned—on eight hits. Rogers struck out two and walked two in the effort, but couldn’t slow the Bulldogs’ offense.

The bottom of Kearney’s lineup came through, with Quick leading the team with three RBIs and finishing 2-for-3. Kennedi Casey also contributed, matching Quick with two hits. On the Tigers’ side, Bella Loeffert, Josie Casler, and Rogers each picked up a hit, but the team couldn’t push any runs across. Excelsior Springs did manage to turn a double play defensively, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Kearney’s momentum.

With Lueken shutting down the Tigers’ bats and the Bulldogs’ offense firing on all cylinders, Kearney earned a well-deserved shutout win to keep their season rolling. The Bulldogs are now 21-5 on the season.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.