Savannah High School softball team wins City Jamboree at Heritage Park
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) - On Saturday, the high school softball City Jamboree took place at Heritage Park. Benton, Bishop LeBlond, Central, and Savannah all took part as the high school softball season quickly approaches.
The Savannah softball team would win the Jamboree by going a perfect 3-0 in their first year taking part in the event. The Savages are coming off a 24-8 record and district championship appearance last season. Savannah has lost some strong players to graduation, but now have a new group of upperclassmen to lead the way, like Macee Blythe and Emma McMullan.
"We had about seven seniors leave us last year, so that leaves a lot of openings for us. So we have a lot of girls that are willing to step up and some freshmen coming in that are showing some good promising things," said head coach Rebekah Glenn. "We're just plugging in the extra holes and the girls are like really stepping up. It's been a lot of fun."
The Benton softball team is coming off a 15-14 season last fall. The Lady Cardinals have a solid core of upperclassmen and a couple of all-state players returning this year, like senior Torri Barron. Benton looks to take the next step and compete with tougher teams in the Midland Empire Conference, like Savannah and defending state champion, Chillicothe.
"I think that our team has really good chemistry and communication, we all work together pretty well," said Barron. "I feel like we're really good with the new incoming freshmen, we help them out a lot, and I think we're gonna be a really good team this year."
The Central Indians are coming off a rough 5-19 record in 2025 and look to regroup under new head coach Jeff Leake, who comes over from Lafayette. Leake also has some former Lafayette players on Central with him as well, like Senior Shae Davison.
"The main thing that I'm trying to do this year is just to create a positive enjoyable environment," said Leake. "I can't say enough good things about how the girls have gotten along with each other and the Central girls welcoming Lafayette girls and vice versa. So that's my main focus is to have that good environment where we can teach the game."
One of Leake's former Lafayette players, sophomore Maci Dulcan, plays over at Bishop LeBlond this year. She was still wearing her Irish visor atop her Golden Eagles uniform on Saturday in support of her former school. But Dulcan has loved her new team so far with Leblond. The Golden Eagles don't have a huge roster this season, just 9 players. But Leblond has sophomore All-State player Brynna Miller returning. She and Dulcan will lead a team coming off a 10-11 season and district championship appearance in 2025.
"It's been really good so far. All the girls are so welcoming," said Dulcan. "Our team is doing really good this year so far. They're still adjusting to me coming in, but so far, so good, great sportsmanship and everything."
Savannah opens the seaosn at Lathrop on Thursday, August 27th at 4:30 pm, and Benton opens at Central on the 27th at 4:30. Bishop LeBlond will next play in the Plattsburg Jamboree on Saturday, August 29th and then open the regular season hosting East Buchanan on Monday, September 1st at 4:30 pm.
