Valle Warriors to meet Plato Eagles in state softball quarterfinals

The Valle Catholic softball team, head coached by Kurt Basler, will meet the Plato Eagles in the Class 1 state quarterfinals on Tuesday, May 17.

The top-seeded and fifth-ranked Eagles defeated second-seeded and ninth-ranked Crane Pirates 5-0 in the District 4 championship game Wednesday in Fordland.

Plato (14-2), which has six seniors, has won nine of its last 10 games, including five straight. The Eagles rolled over eighth-seeded Koshkonong 15-0 in the district’s first round and fifth-seeded Blue Eye 12-2 in the semifinals before beating Crane (12-10).

The top-seeded and fourth-ranked Warriors (18-5) have won seven straight games after losing three straight. They defeated third-seeded Meadow Heights Panthers 11-0 in the District 3 championship. They received a first-round bye before rolling over fifth-seeded Bismarck 17-7 in the semifinals.

A quarterfinal site and time have yet to be announced, but it is to our understanding the game will be played in the south central region of Missouri in the the Ozark’s southern region. Check back with the Herald for the game time and field location.

The quarterfinal winner advances to the MSHSAA Show-Me Championships at the Killian Softball Complex in Springfield on May 23-24.

The state semifinal time for the Valle-Plato quarterfinal winner will be 1:15 p.m. Monday, May 16. The third-place game also will be Monday at 4:30 p.m. The championship game is set for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 24.