Maddy Queathem, El Reagan and Aleida Eldringhoff participated in their final regular season home game as members of the Montgomery County softball team on Oct. 2.

The seniors acted like it was their last softball game ever. All three of them were in tears after being honored with their parents following the Wildcats’ 2-0 win over Community R-6 at Kiwanis Fields.

Still, Queathem, Reagan and Eldringhoff were thrilled that their team got a win on senior day.

“It feels pretty good to get a win on senior night,” Queathem said. “It’s a pretty special night for me, El and Aleida.”

So far, it has been a pretty special year for the seniors. They are part of a team that wrapped up its regular season with a school-record 18 victories.

“A lot can happen when you have a special group,” Queathem said. “We definitely have a special group of girls this year. We have people who want to be here and want to play and are competitive. We all get along this year. It’s like we have a big family here.”

Now, the seniors are setting their sights on helping the Wildcats turn in a strong showing in the Class 2, District 4 tournament, which will be held at Kiwanis Fields. MCHS will start its postseason play at 1 p.m. on Oct. 14 against either Louisiana or Hancock in a semifinal game.

“I’m really looking forward to districts,” Queathem said. “That’s the big time. We have a good team this year. I think if we stay together and play together, we can go far.”

MCHS is seeded second in the six-team district tournament. Elsberry, the top seed, will play either Valley Park or Hermann in the other semifinal on Oct. 14. The championship game is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Oct. 16.

Since they joined the softball program in their freshman year, Queathem and Reagan have combined to win four all-Eastern Missouri Conference awards. Eldringhoff has been the team’s manager all four years.

Queathem, a three-time all-conference performer, is hitting .317 with a home run and 17 RBIs after 24 games. She split time at shortstop and pitcher this year after pitching most of the season last year.

“My season hasn’t been as good as I would love for it to be, but it’s definitely been a special one,” said Queathem, who has hit .350 (107 for 306) for her career. “I got to play shortstop a lot more this year, which I’m cherishing this year. My arm was very sore from last year. Pitching isn’t my favorite position, so I’m glad we have Reese (Hill) here. She does a heck of a job, especially as a freshman. Being as young as she is, she really puts on a show for us out here.”

Queathem said playing with her older sister, Sam, was one of the best highlights of her career. Sam, who graduated from MCHS in 2022, was an all-conference performer three times.

“I always looked up to my sister, not only in sports, but in life,” Queathem said. “It was very special to me that I got to play with her for two years.”

Reagan is enjoying an outstanding season at the plate as she is hitting .402 with 17 RBIs. She went 4 for 4 in the season opener against Hermann on Aug. 29. Reagan, who bats first and plays center field, credits coaches Audra Heimer and Don Moultrie for her strong offense.

“They really worked with me on hitting, being able to go up there and be aggressive at the plate and showing the girls that the pitcher is hittable and that they can do it,” Reagan said.

Reagan joined the Wildcats in 2020 after not playing softball for two years because she was concentrating on gymnastics. The following year, she earned all-conference honors. Reagan said she was thrilled to play high school softball for the first time in her freshman year.

“I came off of not playing for a long time,” said Reagan, who has hit .348 (96 for 276) for her career. “I came in and they didn’t treat me like an outsider. So that was good. They treated me like I was part of the team. I got a jump on it and I learned a lot from not only coach Heimer and our assistant coaches, but the team. They would pick me up and they would help me if I needed help with something.”

Eldringhoff said she is enjoying her time as softball manager. She has been managing athletic teams at Montgomery County since seventh grade.

“Heimer asked me to do it for softball in high school,” Eldringhoff said. “I was kind of intimidated at first, but I got in here, got with the girls and I’ve done it ever since. I loved every minute of it.”