For the second straight season, the Holton softball team is headed to the state tournament.  The Wildcats made their first appearance since 2010 last year in Class 4AD2 and won their first state game before dropping a pair of one-run contest to finish fourth.  This year, it has been all gas and no brakes.    

On Thursday, Holton won the 3A Regional in Atchison with their third victory against Big 7 foe Jeff West this season by a final of 7-1.  The Wildcats took a 2-1 lead in the third inning on a play at the plate that injured Tiger starting pitcher Grace Garrett and took her out of the game.  Holton then put the game away scoring five runs in the fifth inning. 

Freshman, Gracie Gallagher pitched all seven innings allowing just three hits and no earned runs and the Holton defense overcame eight errors in the field.  Adalee Degenhardt capped off a terrific three-game Regional with two hits and finished 4-6 on the week while Savvy Booth also had two hits in the championship and Bailey Flewelling went 2-3 with a pair of runs and RBI and was 5-8 on the week.   

Jeff West finished their season with a 13-9 record and wil only lose two senior starters.  

Holton earned the number two seed in the Class 3A state bracket with a record of 19-2.  They have won 12 straight with their only losses against 5A Topeka West and 6A Olathe North, both by only one run. 

The Lady Cats open play Thursday at 5:00 PM against Colby (17-4) at the Trusler Sports Complex in Emporia.  Live coverage can be heard on KNZA 103.9 FM and a win would advance the Cats to an 11:00 AM semifinal game on Friday.