SHAMROCK REACHES MIDWEST REGIONAL

Some of the top young girls softball players from the area will attempt to make their mark during the 16-under ASA Midwest Regional Tournament that begins Friday in Kansas City.

Shamrock Construction finished second during the recent Missouri ASA Class A State Tournament held in Cape Girardeau, thus earning a berth in the 32-team regional meet that will feature squads from Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska.

The top three finishers in the regional qualify for the national tourney in Marietta, Ga.

"We have a very good group of girls and they've really played well," said Shamrock coach Tim Kelley, whose team has a 28-8 record this summer. "I think we've got the best 16-under group in the area"

Shamrock features players from several local high schools, with the majority coming from Cape Girardeau Central.

On the team from Central are Amber Voerg, Ashlie Voerg, Cassie Gross, Casi Childers, Chantel Childers, Trisha Klipfel, Sarah Muench, Ashley Foutch and Jessica McDonald.

Katlyn Kelley, Laura Huber and Abbey Fuller are Notre Dame products while Erin Jackson and Katie Jackson are from Egyptian (Ill.).

Also, Shamrock will pick up Jackson's Lindsey Meyr for the regional tournament to replace Amber Voerg, who won't be able to make the trip.

Gross and Casi Childers have done all the pitching for Shamrock.

"They've done a real good job," said Kelley.

Ashlie Voerg is the squad's top hitter with a batting average of better than .500. McDonald, Casi Childers and Erin Jackson are all over .400 and every other play is batting at least .300.

"We've got a lot of good hitters," Kelley said.

Shamrock had an impressive state tournament to qualify for the regional meet. During state play, Shamrock won its first game before falling to Jefferson City. However, Shamrock bounced back to win six straight -- including a defeat of Jefferson City -- before falling to Jefferson City in the finals.

"We really had a good state tournament," said Kelley, who coaches the squad along with Terry Childers. "We battled back after losing early and came all the way back to the finals but then we just kind of ran out of gas."