Platte County celebrates seniors after all 3 play starring role in conference win

Intermittent rain showers could not dampen the festivities Monday afternoon.

The overcast skies and precipitation were a dreary backdrop to an otherwise memorable senior night for the Platte County trio of Haley Schank, Kennady Carrel and Maddie Nickell. All three played a key role in the Pirates’ 10-0, five-inning win over William Chrisman at Platte County High School.

Schank continued a stellar season, going 3-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs, while Carrel (second base) and Nickell (first base) started on the right side of Platte County’s infield. Both reached base three times, as well, and combined to score three runs and drive in two more.

“I’m so happy for (Kennady and Maddie); I’m so glad they got to show off their skills, and I’m so proud of them,” said Schank, a fourth-year senior but first-year starter in right field. “It’s so surreal. We’re celebrating senior night early, but it really does go by fast.”

Platte County (13-5) improved to 8-1 in Suburban Conference White Division play with the lone loss to Class 5 No. 1-ranked Grain Valley, which remains unbeaten on the season overall. The Pirates have won three straight and 10 of the past 12 despite returning only two starters from last year’s Class 4 District 8 finalist.

Having scored at least five runs in every win this season, Platte County continued to apply pressure at the plate from the outset Monday night. The Pirates scored in four of the five innings, and sophomore leftfielder delivered a walkoff single to plate Nickell with the winning run in the fifth inning.

Talbot’s drive to the wall in left field would have gone for extra bases in any other scenario, but Nickell ended the game once she crossed home plate on the short trip home from third.

“Just seeing the joy on (the seniors’) faces and to see them finish the game with their teammates and get in the game having a couple of hits and make good plays on defense, it was just cool for kids who have been dedicated to your program get that opportunity,” said Platte County acting head coach Lauren Parrish, who took the reins when Callie Peoples started maternity leave.

The game belonged to the seniors pretty much from the start.

In the bottom of the first inning, Platte County sophomore shortstop Bryli Seifert — an all-state performer a year ago — singled with two outs, and Schank promptly followed with a triple to center field that put the Pirates up 1-0. She came home on sophomore pitcher Reagan Ball’s double.

Schank now has 11 extra-base hits, including a team-high four RBIs, after receiving limited playing time as a junior. A bit of an unknown to start the season, she now anchors a recently formatted top of the lineup that includes freshman third baseman Kinleigh Howren, Talbot and Seifert hitting in front of her.

“I feel like I didn’t take the opportunity last year, and I came in with a new confidence,” Schank said. “I think that really helped, and I just felt more relaxed this year.”

Taking advantage of starting opportunities, Carrel singled with one out in Platte County’s half of the second and went to second on an error, and Nickell followed with a walk to turnover the lineup in the bottom of the second. Both advanced on a wild pitch, and Howren’s groundout scored the Pirates’ third run.

Platte County then broke the game open in the third.

Seifert led off with a walk and stole second, and Schank drove her home with a single then advanced to second on an ill-advised throw home. Ball, who 3-for-3, and junior catcher Gwen Duncan gave the Pirates three straight singles and increased the lead to 5-0.

With one out, Carrel and and Nickell added RBI singles to put Platte County up 7-0 and officially putting the 10-run rule in play.

“I think starting it off with a bang with my teammates, I knew it was going to be a good night,” Schank said. “The seniors, we’ve all played together since maybe second grade. We’ve played for 10 years now. It’s just a really special moment to be able to do that together, and we all get a special part of this game.”

William Chrisman threatened in the top of the fourth when an error helped put runners on second and third with no outs.

Ball responded with three consecutive strikeouts to work out of the jam on her way to throwing all five innings and allowing just three hits. She struck out a career-high 12.

Currently with a record of 9-1, Ball continued to carve out a role as part of a pitching duo with junior Dani Salisbury, the top option each of the past two years.

“(Reagan’s) really stepped it up from last year; she’s performing so well,” Schank said.

Platte County didn’t score in the fourth despite back-to-back two-out singles from Schank and Ball, who then worked around a two-out single while striking out three more in the fifth.

William Chrisman didn’t record an out in the decisive bottom of the fifth. The Pirates loaded the bases on a single for sophomore centerfielder Kelly Bullano and back-to-back walks for Carrel and Nickell. Howren, who has hit leadoff all season, doubled to right-center field, but Parrish held Nickell at third rather than risk an out at the plate.

Three pitches later on a 2-0 count, Talbot recorded her lone hit and nearly came up with her first career home run.

“We’ve moved some people around just within the last week, and we’re really finding our groove,” Parrish said. “That ball just explodes off of Lily’s bat and then following up with Bryli. Kinleigh gives us great looks with strong at-bats in the leadoff spot. We just feel like we can get a lot of RBIs with the hitters behind her.”

Entering the season, Platte County’s lone returning starters were Seifert and Salisbury, and while Howren brings a freshman impact, the rest of the contributors were put into much larger roles or moved from the junior varsity ranks. The seniors have provided a steadying presence with Schank in a starring role, while Carrel and Nickell have made the most of limited opportunities in what has become a promising season for an inexperienced roster.

Platte County plays six of the final seven games on the road but hopes to challenge Smithville and Kearney for district supremacy and return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021. The Pirates have lost to both this year but also own a win over Smithville and play at Kearney on October 10.

“At the beginning of the season, we weren’t really sure with seven new starters and trying to find our identity,” Parrish said. “We have confidence now that we can beat anyone and hang with anyone. You’ve seen it in our girls: they feel comfortable with each other. They’re vibing, and their chemistry is starting to show. I think we’re in a good place as we enter the last phase of our season.”