Bulldogs Shutout Tigers in Conference Game

The Kearney Bulldog Varsity softball team put another notch in their win column against the Excelsior Springs Tigers on Monday, September 30. The Kearney shutout the Tigers in a Suburban Blue Conference game, 5-0.

Brooke Paalhar broke the tie in the third inning with a home run to left field in the third inning, scoring three runs.

Brooke Paalhar broke the tie in the third inning with a home run to left field in the third inning, scoring three runs. Then and singled in the fourth inning, scoring one run.

Macy Morrow led the Bulldogs with three hits in four at bats and Kennedi Casey collected two hits in three at bats.

Alyssa Quick pitched all seven innings in a gem of a game. She struck out 12 batters and allowed four hits and zero runs over seven innings while walking none.

Other highlights include:

Alyssa Quick went 1-3

Morgan Pennington went 1-3

Jocelyn Lincoln 1-3

Ryleigh Van Emmerik went 1-3

Kearney is now 22-4 on the season and 6-0 in conference.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Bulldogs 5-0 in Homecoming Win over NKC

For the second consecutive week, the Kearney Bulldogs roughed up a Class 6 opponent with unmistakably dominant play at the line of scrimmage – offensive and defensive.

Kearney senior running back Tristan Williams and junior running back Corbin Emmons both scored two rushing touchdowns before halftime. Kicker Jacob Dillon connected on the point-after kicks follow three of those touchdowns and ran for a 2-point conversion on the other, taking the Bulldogs to halftime with a 29-0 lead. 

Kearney’s opening possession in the second half was an 84-yard kickoff return for touchdown by senior Grant Noland.

Kearney’s opening possession in the second half was an 84-yard kickoff return for touchdown by senior Grant Noland. North Kansas City hadn’t touched the football, and the third quarter score loomed large for the Hornets at 36-0.

Junior quarterback Brad Doll stepped in for the starter, Carter Temple in the fourth quarter and scored on a 3-yard keeper to effectively ice the game at 43-0 following the Jacob Dillon PAT.

Late in the fourth quarter, North Kansas City junior quarterback Stephen Thomas broke a tackle on a sweep to the left and ran 80 yards untouched to the end zone for the Hornets’ only score. A missed 2-point conversion left the final score at 43-6.

“We’re getting better every week I think that's pretty evident,” said Bulldog head coach Logan Minnick. “We thought we could win the line of scrimmage this week which was going to be huge in this game with (North Kansas City) wanting to run the ball and us being able to keep it away from them at times.”

Kearney’s defense continues to play fast and physical, pressuring opposing quarterbacks, stopping the run, and neutralizing the passing game in the secondary. Senior Linebacker Theo Grace had 12 tackles, Grant Noland had six and sophomore defensive back Aidan Arellano finished with 4.

Kearney had 56 total plays to the Hornets’ 29, and Kearney had 23 first downs to North Kansas City’s 4.

“I'm so proud of how our kids came out and executed a game plan almost to perfection on a week which I call distraction week and others call homecoming week,” added Minnick. “I’m so excited for our fans, our community; what an awesome day today. It’s the biggest parade I think I've seen here in a long time.”

The 5-0 Kearney Bulldogs are on the road next week. They’ll play at Grain Valley on Friday, October 5. Kickoff is at 7:00 PM.

Mike Davis contributed to this story.

Bulldog Softball Steamrolls Winnetonka

The Kearney Varsity softball team traveled to Winnetonka on Monday to play the Griffins in their third conference game of the season. Kate Landewee pitched a perfect 5-inning game to shutout Winnetonka, 13-0.

The Bulldogs struck first in the top of the first inning and never looked back. Morgan Pennington hit a sacrifice fly, scoring one run, and Jocelyn Lincoln singled, scoring two runs.

Kennedi Casey Kennedi collected 3 hits on 4 at bats during the game, hit a double to drive in 3 runs, and collected 2 runs.

Kearney added two runs in the second inning when Brooke Paalhar singled following a 7-pitch at-bat. The team racked up six runs on five hits in the top of the third inning. Kennedi Casey doubled, scoring three runs, Pennington singled, scoring two runs, and Kate Stumpenhaus singled, scoring one run.

Kennedi Casey Kennedi collected 3 hits on 4 at bats during the game, hit a double to drive in 3 runs, and collected 2 runs.

Pennington and Casey each drove in three runs; Ryleigh Van Emmerik and Landewee each collected multiple hits as well. Macy Morrow and Ashlynn Blank went 1 for 1. Ellie Switzer had 1 RBI. Jocelyn Lincoln went 1 for 2 with 2 RBIs. Caroline Jury made 15 plays at the plate.

Kate Landewee struck out 13 batters on the day. She gave up three hits and zero runs over five innings with no walks.

The Bulldogs are on an 11-game winning streak. Their season record is 16-2 and 3-0 in conference play.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.