Hermreck, playing in her first regional final, shines in the moment

By Gene Morris

There is a reason why the Paola Panther softball team is going to state. It’s not just because Kylee Mader loves to play under pressure and picked a great time for her seventh home run of the season — a two-run shot over the scoreboard in an 8-7 comeback thriller against Ottawa on Tuesday.

Not by a long shot.

There is much more to this story.

One would have to go back to the beginning of the year. Not the season opener against Louisburg on March 27.

A little bit further back than that. Say, the first day of practice in February.

That was the day Alyssa “Sis” Hermreck walked onto the softball field for her senior season knowing there were no guarantees.

She would have to wait for her opportunities. Hermreck would be called upon to pinch run and pinch hit and maybe have an opportunity to play an inning or two in the field.

It is not the most glamorous of roles — the role player — especially for a senior.

Not too many people stick around for day after day of practice, knowing their reward might just be knowing they helped prepare the team and make it better.

To me, people like Hermreck are the most inspirational athletes.

I marvel at them.

I wonder if I could have done what they did. Put in all that work only to wonder if my day would ever come.

It takes a strong person.

Well, they don’t come any stronger than Hermreck, a sister in one of Paola’s storied wrestling families.

I swing by an occasional softball practice, especially in the early spring.

When the season starts, I go to my fair share of games and usually stand by the dugouts, or in them, to take pictures.

In all my time covering the softball program, I never heard Sis complain one time about her playing time.

I never saw her with her head down.

Instead of pouting at the end of the dugout or quitting, Sis is there for her teammates, always saying something positive.

Tuesday night was an incredible one.

No, not because Paola upset Ottawa, which does add to the story line.

The real story in this game came from the senior who got to play in her first regional championship softball game.

Hermreck went into the game in the third inning to play second base.

She seized her opportunity to shine.

Hermreck flashed the leather for some great plays at second. However, it is what she did with the bat that was equally, if not more, impressive.

She went 3-for-3 with three singles, scoring three runs for the Panthers.

Seeing her round third base to score and getting congratulated by her teammates at the dugout entrance may have been the most moving thing I have had the opportunity to witness this school year.

Her road was a long one this season. I dare say not many of us could have done it, and not the way she did.

Hermreck is the ultimate team player. She never thought of herself first, always putting the good of the team ahead of her own aspirations.

To see her shine in her moment on Tuesday night, well, it was something you just don’t forget.

That-a-girl, Sis.

— You can reach Gene Morris by calling (913) 294-2311 or by e-mail at gmorris@miconews.com.