Paul Halfacre

2 weeks ago | stltoday.com | Paul Halfacre

BELLEVILLE — Riley Mathews didn't scream to the heavens or wave her fist in wild celebration. All the Columbia senior could think about as she covered her face in happiness was getting back on defense. The job wasn't done. "There was part of me that was like, 'We need to get back, we need to stay focused,' " Mathews said.

2 weeks ago | stltoday.com | Paul Halfacre

BELLEVILLE — It's emblazoned on Father McGivney's warmup shirts. "Write the story."It's a simple mantra, and thanks to a second-half surge that erased a first-half deficit on Friday evening, the Griffins will write one more chapter in their 2025 story. "We definitely got a little worried because we wanted to make history for our school, but it felt amazing to get those goals in the second half and see how capable we are," Father McGivney junior Erin Kretzer said.

2 weeks ago | stltoday.com | Paul Halfacre

MANCHESTER — Eli Andert would have run through the chain link fence if that's what it took to make the out. The Parkway South senior catcher didn't care that Rolla was mounting yet another comeback attempt. Andert only had one thing on his mind as he watched a foul ball careen back in play. "I wanted to make that catch for the team," Andert said.

2 weeks ago | stltoday.com | Paul Halfacre

MANCHESTER — When Eureka junior Ben Lackey spun pitches in the bullpen Thursday afternoon, it was like the ball was being pulled by an invisible string. Wildcats junior catcher Carson Leuthauser knew Lackey had his good stuff. "It was his slider," Leuthauser said. "It was really on."Lackey's pitches were even more devastating when he got on the mound for the Class 6 District 2 baseball semifinal against Marquette at Parkway South. "He was tremendous.

2 weeks ago | stltoday.com | Paul Halfacre

BRIDGETON — As Duchesne baseball coach Mike Hollander tracked down the relief pitcher he was going to send into the game, a voice in the dugout questioned the need. "I asked him if he was ready to go because he was probably going to come in after this batter, and someone in the dugout said, 'Next batter? We're going to get a double play here and the game will be over,' " Hollander recalled. That message was prophetic.