For the third straight high school softball season, and following a cancelled Covid campaign, the Holton softball team is heading back to the State Tournament.  The Wildcats improved to 21-1 on Tuesday in Topeka with a pair of convincing run-rule victories to win their 4A Regional.  

Holton 16, Atchison 0 in four innings

After two quick outs, Holton started a rally in the first inning and took advantage of a couple Atchison errors to grab an early 3-0 lead.  That was more than enough for Gracie Gallagher, who pitched a complete game shutout allowing just one hit and two runners to reach.  GG struck out seven to push her season total to 102 strikeouts versus only two walks.  The Wildcat offense blew the game open with six runs on five hits in the third inning and ended the contest scoring seven runs in the fourth.  

Every Holton batter scored at least one run and eight players had at least one hit.  Gallagher had four RBI, included a walk-off three-run inside the park home run, which was Holton's 31st glory ball of the season as a team.  Sadie Walker had two hits, runs and RBI while Staci Bond was 2-2 with a pair of runs scored as well.  Olivia Summers scored three times while Brooke Flewelling, Grace Utz and Justina Raye all crossed home plate twice.  Emma Summers had a pair of RBI as well for the top seed.  

Holton 12, Independence 0 in six innings

Sadie Walker pitched a three-hit shutout over six innings in the Regional Championship striking out nine batters to push her total to 84 in just 52 innings pitched and only nine total walks. Walker also had two hits and scored twice while Raye went 3-3 with three runs scored and Utz had three hits and runs as well.  Gallagher added three more RBI to her day with a pair of hits while Flewelling went 2-2 and Timber Wilson ended the game with an inside-the-park three run homer in the sixth inning.  

Holton took a 3-0 lead in the second inning before adding four runs on five hits in the third to go ahead 7-0.  The three time straight Big 7 League champs are now 21-1 on the season and will play at 4A State in Salina on Thursday, May 28th with live coverage on KNZA 103.9 FM.  Holton has advanced to the semifinal in their last two state appearances in 2018 and 2019.