Repeating as state champion is not exactly something new for the Augusta softball program, as the Orioles won in 2014 and 2015.

So with so much talent returning in 2020, Augusta was in position to go back-to-back as 4A champions.

The Orioles allowed only two earned runs in the 2019 tournament, but that was with league MVP Gracie Johnston on the mound, who is now pitching at Missouri State.

But the cupboard was far from bare for Augusta, who returned four first team all-league players and second team pitcher Morgan Pennycuff was primed to take over for Johnston.

Prediction: Just like the year before, Andale/Garden Plain would prove to be the Orioles’ biggest threat to a title. The Indians returned nearly everyone from the state runner-up team in 2019.

The two teams split their regular season matchup and both went into the state tournament with a record of 21-1.

Augusta was the No. 1 seed, while Andale was the No. 2 seed and the two teams cruised to the finals.

Behind Pennycuff, who emerged as one of the best pitchers in the area, the Indians managed just two hits and Allie Ebbenkamp drove in the only run of the game as Augusta defeated Andale/Garden Plain 1-0 to win its second consecutive title.

Spring Sports 2020… What If?

Thursday, March 11th, Black Thursday in the VYPE Nation – the final day of high school athletic competition for the 2019-20 year thanks to the Coronavirus. There are so many fantastic success stories that were left untold. As part of the VYPE Year-End review, our editorial folks decided to have some fun and make predictions on what might have been for some of our VYPE Nation athletes!