The Blair Oaks Lady Falcons were all smiles after winning the program's 14th district championship in 15 years Saturday in Versailles.

Chris Leuckel

Loeffler's Link

Oct. 20, 2020

WARDSVILLE, Mo. --- The Blair Oaks softball program produces great teams year after year, decade after decade ... and the Lady Falcons have done it again this year.

What's the secret? Does longtime head coach Sharon Buschjost have an ace up her sleeve?

Not this year.

She has two aces.

"That's exactly right,' Buschjost said, "and that's been a big part of our conversation with Alexis (Findley) and Andi (Siebeneck) throughout the season.

"As players, especially pitchers, they're all working to be No. 1, which is what you want. But in reality, what we see in these two are two No. 1 pitchers. I told them we were going to coexist as both of you being our No. 1.

"Just do what you when you get the ball."

This is what they've done:

^ Findley, a 5-9 senior, is 12-3 with a 1.36 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 87 innings

^ Siebeneck, a 5-8 junior, is 9-3,with 1.81 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 69 innings.

Just like playing poker, the more aces, the better. And this pair could not have been better in the district tournament --- three games, three shutouts, two by Findley.

Findley has the slightest of edges right now for one reason --- she's  a year older.

"She's our senior and Andi has been supportive of it,' said Buschjost, as third-ranked Blair Oaks (23-6) prepares to play at unranked Centralia (17-12) in the Class 3 quarterfinals at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

"Both warm up before the game so they'll be ready to go at any time."

When one pitches, the other plays first base, so they're both in the lineup. As good as they are in the circle, they're equally good in the rectangle of the batter's box.

But here, there's a clear No. 1.

Siebeneck has been solid, a .369 average with three home runs and 22 RBI. But Findley has been something else --- .398, five home runs (tied for team lead) and a team high 41 RBI.

"She hits the ball with authority," Buschjost said. "She's just a pure hitter, she doesn't try to pull the ball, she just goes with it."

There's no substitute for having a good catcher, especially when she's a senior. Well, the Lady Falcons have a great one in Ellie Kliethermes, and she's great in three areas --- behind the plate, at the plate, and off the field with her leadership.

"She just brings comfort to the coaching staff, understanding the game, and understanding their pitchers and their strengths," Buschjost said. "Ellie calls the game, knowing and trusting Ellie to do that says a lot, because most high school catchers are not at that level."

Batting leadoff, Klietheremes is hitting .459 with one home run and 23 RBI, while receiving a team-high 11 walks.

"Ellie is patient at the plate ... she just gets on base," Buschjost said.

As does senior Bailey Rissmiller, who bats second (.447, two HR, 21 RBI, team-high 38 runs).

"Those two," Buschjost said, "have definitely done a great job at the 1-2 spots"

Findley bats third and Siebeneck fourth in this potent lineup, which averages just under eight runs a game.

Other top threats at the plate include junior Kandance Kliegel (.444) , senior Madison Boessen (.333, three HR, 26 RBI) and junior Jazmin Renkemeyer (.339, five, 17).

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IT HASN'T BEEN a very smooth ride for the Lady Falcons this season.

"It wasn't always easy,' said Buschjost, 55, who's in her 25th year at the helm. "We've had some ups and downs and frustrations throughout the season. I think every team encounters that, it's what you do with it and how you handle it that says a lot about your team.

"I think where we are right now, and how we're playing, says a lot about how we handled it."

They are back in familiar territory as district champions --- the title is a remarkable 14th in 15 seasons for Buschjost. After not winning it last year, snapping the staggering 13-year streak, was winning it this year even more special?

Not really.

"I think they're all equal, every year is a new year," Buschjost said. "And that number may not be as big for our players as it is for other people,.

"They want it to be a good year this year, and that's pretty much my mindset, too."

The quarterfinal matchup pits two teams who have engaged in some classic, memorable games the last decade. This season's season-opener wasn't one of them --- Blair Oaks 10, Centralia 0 as Findley tossed a no-hitter.

"That feels like forever ago," Buschjost said. "That game really means nothing to us, Centralia is playing very well right now."

There's no longer a sectional game, meaning a win Wednesday would put Blair Oaks in the Final Four --- again. It would be 11th trip to the Final Four behind Buschjost, who's seeking that elusive, second state championship and first since 2009.

"To me, it's weird," Buschjost said. "We win districts and we're not used to talking about one win away from the Final Four. That's kind of a fun, crazy thing."

Weird, fun and crazy, perhaps, but hardly unusual.

It's what great programs do.

Coming up aces: Findley, Siebeneck
are driving force for Lady Falcons