Two Republic softball players have landed a spot on the Class 4 all-state softball team. Missouri’s softball coaches selected sophomore Kaitlyn Ragsdale to the all-state first team as an infielder. Senior catcher Julia Higgins was selected to the all-state second team.
Ragsdale anchored Republic’s infield defense from the shortstop position. She also set the table for the rest of the lineup out of the leadoff spot. Ragsdale scored 44 times, setting a new school record for runs in a single season. (The previous record of 40 was held by Kami Holt and Lauren Strobel.) Ragsdale also stole more bases in a season than anyone else in Republic history — excluding herself. She stole 37 bases (after stealing 42 as a freshman).
In addition to being one of the best defensive catchers in southwest Missouri, Higgins compiled an astonishing offensive season. Her slugging percentage was 1.140. She hit 14 home runs and racked up 60 RBIs. Both of those totals are school records, and her RBI total is the second-highest total in Missouri history, according to the MSHSAA record book.
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Higgins was named co-player of the year in the Central Ozark Conference, sharing the award with Ozark’s Nya Morgan.
Higgins and Ragsdale were both unanimous first-team All-COC selections. Center fielder Megan Weis also earned a spot on the first team.
Avery Romans and A.J. Fenske were second-team All-COC selections. Livi Collier earned honorable mention.
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Ragsdale, Higgins, and Romans were all first-team all-region picks, as voted by the region’s coaches. Weis and Fenske were second-team selections.
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