Former Republic softball standout Beth McGill received a Diamond 9 Award from the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on Tuesday, one of nine baseball and softball honorees recognized at the organization’s Spring Sports Luncheon for both their playing careers in Missouri and their continued contributions to the game.
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“Really shocked, just honored,” McGill said. “And to be honest with you, really wish that my dad was here because this would have meant so much to him. And it means so much to me. There’s so many people that are probably way more deserving than me, but I’ll take it.”
McGill, a four-year starting catcher for the Lady Tigers in the late 1990s, earned First Team All-State honors as a junior and senior in 1997 and 1998. She played at Republic under coaches Mike Thorne and Kara Carr-Swafford.
McGill was named Second Team All-Conference and Second Team All-District as a freshman, First Team All-Conference and First Team All-District as a sophomore, and First Team All-Conference, First Team All-District and First Team All-State as a junior and senior.
McGill finished her career with 12 home runs and 92 RBI. She set Republic single-season school records with six home runs as a senior and 31 RBI as a sophomore, when she also hit a career-best .449. Her career batting average was .374.
As a senior, McGill helped lead Republic to a Class 3 district championship, a sectional title — won on her home run in the 12th inning — and a berth in the state quarterfinals.
McGill said what she misses most is the competition itself.
“Just getting out there and getting sweaty and playing ball,” she said. “I miss that. I think about my teammates and how hard they worked, and we just made each other better.”
Beth, the youngest of seven children, was coached growing up by her late father, Mike McGill, who worked with his own children and many dozens of their teammates in Republic over the years.
“I’ve had a lot of people call and congratulate me,” McGill said. “Just reflecting on the years of playing ball, and my teammates and my family and how much everybody helped me get where I was.”
McGill said the support from her older siblings has been a highlight of the past month.
“They’re really proud. I thought they would just be like, ‘Oh, no big deal, it should have been me,'” she said with a laugh. “But no, they’ve been really supportive and really proud.”
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