When it comes to the upperclassmen for Keota softball this season, it’s been quality over quantity. Tonight on the KCII3 Stream, the Eagles hold Senior Night for their two twelfth-graders as the team hosts Belle Plaine in the Area Game of the Week. 

Keota will recognize Cassie Swantz and Emily Sheetz prior to the contest for their years of leadership on and off the diamond. Head Coach for the Eagles, Tony Baughman spoke highly of the two in the days leading up to the game, beginning with Swantz. “She’s just one heck of an all-around player,” he said. “I can put her anywhere on that field that we’re having struggles and she’ll come through. As far as a leader goes, she’s probably the best leader you could ever have on the team. Then you’ve got Emily Sheetz. She’s really starting to hit the ball this year. It’s like this year everything’s just kinda clicking for her. It’s really awesome to see.” On June 5, Keota won its first game of the season, and first since 2021, 13-10 over Colfax Mingo, and last weekend lost a close one to Hillcrest Academy. 

Belle Plaine arrives having defeated the Eagles 15-3 back in May. Since then, it’s been an up and down year for the Plainswomen, with no more than two wins or losses in-a-row at any point. They are just a few days removed from wins over Iowa Valley in back-to-back nights. At 8-8 and sitting fourth in the South Iowa Cedar League, Belle Plaine is averaging six runs per game. Like Keota, they have allowed more runs than they have scored this season, but are hitting .285 as a team. A big part of that has been Ella and Ava Grieder, who respectively, are first and second in Eagle hits. Senior Izzy Sankot and eighth-grader Taylor Johnson have split the work in the pitcher’s circle for an ERA of 6.17. Tonight is a good opportunity for the Eagle offense, as the two have allowed 134 combined hits in 104 innings, with 65 strikeouts to 53 walks. 

Since 2009, Keota has gotten the best of Belle Plaine on the softball diamond just once. That was an 8-6 decision in 2011. You can listen to the Eagles play on Senior Night tonight by visiting KCIIradio.com, clicking listen live, followed by KCII3. Pregame coverage is at 5 p.m. with first pitch at 5:30 from Keota.