Grain Valley Softball Rallies Past Belton After Tough Road Loss

by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News


Grain Valley High School softball standout Molly Jones wasn't going to let a non-conference loss at Blue Springs South Monday afternoon define the start of the Eagles 2025 season.

After three innings, the Jaguars held on to a 3-2 lead, but coach Kristi Williams' team added six more runs to claim the 9-2 win.

“It was close for a while,” Jones said, “but they got the job done and we didn't. We had an off night. It's a bump in the road. We have to come back and play better in our next game.”

And that's exactly what the 5-3 Eagles did as they defeated Suburban White Conference opponent Belton 9-5.
“This was a good conference win for us,” Eagles coach Flip Courter said after Grain Valley improved to 6-3 and 2-0 in conference action.

“We got off to a good start in the first with two runs, but then, our bats got cold.

“We're down 5-2 in fifth, and Sydnee Wagner unloaded on a no-doubt homer to tie the game. Jones helped herself with an RBI single to score (Addie) Wright and grab the lead.

“Tacking on three insurance runs in the sixth made things a lot more comfortable.”

Jones finished with 14 strikeouts and Abe Scott was four for four.

“Scott went four for four with some of the hardest hit balls we’ve had in a while,” Courter added. 

“Our kids showed some heart battling back. We haven’t been playing our best ball lately, but they didn’t give up. Type of win that could prop us to go on a run.”

It was especially important after the Monday loss to the Jaguars.The Jaguars made their 2025 home opener one to remember.

The Jaguars, ranked 11th in the state, played host to the Eagles, who are ranked fourth.

And South's dynamic duo of Emma Dragon and Kyndal Armstrong were too much for the Eagles as the Jaguars claimed a big victory.

Dragon allowed two runs in three innings while Armstrong pitched four scoreless inning of relief, allowing just one hit.

Wagner hit a solo homer in the top of the first inning and added an RBI double in the second, but that was all the offense the Eagles could produce.

"We're just taking it one game at a time," said Dragon, who also hit two singles and scored twice. "Kendall and I work well together in games. When I leave with a lead, I know we're going to win the game."

Armstrong, who also hit two singles and added an RBI, agreed.

"I felt good at the plate and on the mound," Armstrong said. "Whether it's starting or relieving, I don't care. I just want to help us have a great season."

Coach Kristi Williams was pleased with her team's overall performance.

"We did well in all phases of the game - hitting, pitching and defense," the veteran coach said. "Emma and Kendall complement each other out on the mound and we got offense from the top to the bottom of our batting order.

"We've always had great pitching - that's been a big reason for our success. And we have the arms to get the job done on the mound this season."

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Grain Valley's Sydnee Wagner has won back-to-back Player of the Game honors after hitting back-to-back home runs against Blue Springs South and Pleasant Hill. Cali, a young Eagles softball fan, presented Wager with her commemorative bat. Photo courtesy Grain Valley softball.

Photo credit: David Rainey