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.

Bulldogs Roll to 7-0

The Kearney Bulldogs celebrated homecoming by scoring 49 points in the first half and holding Raytown South scoreless in a 57-0 conference win. The number one, state-ranked, class-4 Bulldogs sit at the top of the Suburban Blue conference with a perfect 7-0 season.

The number one, state-ranked, class-4 Bulldogs sit at the top of the Suburban Blue conference with a perfect 7-0 season. Photo by Ray Weikal.

“What we really wanted to do this week was put a three-phase game together where we played really well in all three phases,” said head coach Logan Minnick.

“When you put up over 50 and you keep a shout out – our first shutout of the year – and have huge special teams plays; we scored on special teams and then had a blocked punt as well. So, it was a complete game in all three phases and exactly what we were looking for.”

Bulldog quarterback Carter Temple was 7 of 9 for 99 yards passing with four touchdowns and carried the ball three times for 55 yards and a touchdown – all of that in just the first half of play against a struggling 0-7 Raytown South team.

Two of Temple’s touchdown passes went to tight end, Drew Nelson, one for 29 yards, the other for 13. “It’s really easy when Carter is throwing to me,” said Nelson. “He already knows exactly when I'm going to be open and where I'm going to be open. It's a blast knowing that I'm going to get the ball, especially on homecoming.”

The second team Bulldogs played nearly all of the second half, scoring once on a Conon Cholak 1-yard touchdown run while the defense held Raytown South scoreless, protecting the shutout.

“We told those guys, ‘boys we're going full twos across the board’ (in the second half). The expectation was that we keep the shutout on the board, and we continue to put points on it,” said Minnick

Two games remain on the Bulldogs’ regular season schedule: at Winnetonka (5-2) and a home game against Excelsior Springs (2-5).

Minnick cautioned against looking ahead. “As a coach you get a little nervous when you get a team on your schedule that on paper looks like it's going to be a blowout. You've got to keep your kids focused when everybody's patting them on the back.”

“I've even heard, ‘Oh, a third undefeated season in four years.’  Don't say that around me. I don't want to hear that. I think our kids understand that,” Minnick added.

Senior team captain, Drew Nelson understands it. “It doesn't matter who we're playing. We're just going to bring the hammer every single time. We'll be well-prepared for every single game and just keep it going every single week.”

KPGZ News – Mike Davis contributed to this story.