The Missouri State High School Activities Association softball tournament begins today and three of the four defending champions are back to defend their titles. In Class 4, Liberty (21-4) will open up its defense against Oak Park (15-11). Poplar Bluff (24-2) has the best record in Class 4 and will face Oakville
Webb City (22-5), which took the 2004 Class 3 title will get Aurora (14-11). Notre Dame High School of Cape Girardeau has the best record in Class 3, at 26-2. They’ll face Fredericktown.
Kelly High School is 19-9 on the season, but got hot at the right time to defend their title in Class 2. They’ll open up against Strafford which is 25-1. The only undefeated team in the field is Highland High School, which is 20-0 and they face Putnam County.
North Shelby is the only 2004 state champ not to make the field in 2005. Two of the teams with the best three records in Class 1 will square off in the sections, as Harrisburg (21-3) will take on Silex (19-2). Crocker (20-3) plays Pilot Grove (18-5).
The state championship games will be played on October 22 in Columbia.