Purdy softball tops Lockwood, will play in first Final Four since 2021

Publisher’s Note: All our photos from Purdy’s win can be found at https://cassvilledemocrat.zenfoliosite.com/photo-galleries/spring-sports-1/2026-barry-county-softball?ct=2. Digital downloads are $5 each, and prints start at just $2 each.

By Kyle Troutman [email protected]

For the first time since 2021 — when the Lady Eagles won the Class 1 state championship — the Purdy softball team is headed to the Final Four.

Timely small ball, dominant pitching and an early home run sent the Lady Eagles through, securing a 3-1 win over Lockwood on the road on Wednesday.

Coach Lori Videmschek said Purdy entered the matchup knowing runs would be difficult to come by against Lockwood’s ace.

“They’re very well coached, and I knew their pitcher was really good,” Videmschek said. “You’re not going to get a whole lot of hits off her.”

Because of that, Purdy spent the week preparing to pressure Lockwood defensively with bunts and aggressive baserunning.

“We worked on putting the bunt down and seeing if they were able to take care of it,” Videmschek said. “That was one thing they struggled with a little bit defensively.”

Purdy wasted little time creating pressure. After a strikeout in the bottom of the first, Kenzi Postlewait reached on a dropped fly ball in center field. Two batters later, Gabriela Groomer launched a two-run homer to give the Lady Eagles a quick 2-0 lead.

“That was a big charge for us to get on them quick,” Videmschek said. “One thing we wanted to do early was score first, and we did.”

That cushion proved important in a game that developed into a pitcher’s duel.

Groomer dominated in the circle early, striking out two batters in the second inning and retiring the side in order. In the third, Kierstn Postlewait made a stretching catch in right field before Groomer added another strikeout and induced a groundout back to the circle, a recurring theme throughout the game, especially on the third out of the inning.

Videmschek said Groomer consistently located pitches in key moments throughout the game.

“She hit her spots really well in key situations,” Videmschek said.

Lockwood threatened in the fourth inning after putting runners on second and third with nobody out. A bunt brought home a run on a close call at the plate to trim Purdy’s lead to 2-1, but the Lady Eagles avoided further damage with a groundout to its shortstop.

Videmschek called the sequence one of the game’s defining moments.

“They had runners at second and third with nobody out, and we were able to get out of that inning with just one run,” Videmschek said. “I call that a win situation for us.”

Purdy’s defense continued to respond under pressure. In the fifth inning, Kenzi Postlewait prevented extra bases with a strong throw from right field, while Groomer struck out two more batters to strand runners and preserve the one-run lead.

The Lady Eagles finally added insurance in the bottom of the fifth through the style of play they had emphasized all week.

Courtney Patterson put down a bunt and was hit in the back by the throw to first, allowing her to take second. Then, Kierstn Postlewait dropped down another bunt, and Lockwood’s throw sailed over first base, allowing Patterson to score and allowing Postlewait to advance to third.

Videmschek said those small moments were critical and will remain so in the final two games of the season.

“That’s just key things like that — taking advantage of the mishaps they do and putting the ball in play,” Videmschek said.

With a 3-1 lead, Groomer closed the door in dominant fashion. She struck out three batters in the sixth inning and added two more strikeouts in the seventh, including the game’s final out catching the batter looking.

Groomer finished with 10 strikeouts, continuing a milestone postseason run after recording her 1,000th career strikeout during the district championship victory.

“She got a couple strikeouts and got a ground-ball out when we needed it,” Videmschek said. “She did a really good job.”

The victory advanced Lady Eagles to the state semifinals, where they will face Kingsville on a turf field at Killian Sports Complex in Springfield.

Videmschek expects another game centered on execution and pressure offense.

“We’ve got to be able to put the bunt down, run the bases well and put pressure on the defense,” Videmschek said. “Who executes in key situations and the little things usually comes out on top.”

She added that Purdy has already begun preparing for the transition to turf ahead of the Final Four.

“We practiced on Cassville’s turf field yesterday just so we could see how the ball’s going to bounce,” Videmschek said.

As the Lady Eagles prepare for the biggest week of the season, Videmschek said the team is focused on embracing the opportunity.

“I told the girls we’ve just got to go out there and have fun,” Videmschek said. “We’re one of four schools still in it, so we’ve got to enjoy this moment because very seldom do kids get a chance to play in a Final Four.”

Purdy enters the contest at 17-8, and Kingsville is 15-4-1. The only common opponent this season was Sweet Springs, with Purdy bagging a 1-0 win and Kingsville getting a 5-2 victory. This is Kingsville’s first trip to the Finals Four, whereas Purdy took second place in 2017 and won state in 2021.

In the other semifinal, Oak Ridge (25-0) faces Plato (25-7). Videmschek said both teams have the kind of pitching, defense and batting teams should expect in the Final Four, and execution in key moments will be deciding factors in any games.

Purdy and Kingsville face off at 1 p.m. Monday on Field 5 at Killian Sports Complex, located at 2141 E. Pythian St. in Springfield. Tickets may be purchased at https://tinyurl.com/yc2adnmr, and a live stream may be purchased at https://tinyurl.com/2kc428b8.

Oak Ridge and Plato also play at 1 p.m. Monday. The third-place game is set for 5 p.m on Monday, and the championship is at 1 p.m. on Tuesday.