In the world of sports, they say it takes a village to build a champion. For the Missouri Southern State University softball team, that village starts at home—with mom.
On Saturday, ahead of the MIAA Championship title game against Rogers State University, the league honored mothers from both teams with a special pregame ceremony. In a heartfelt nod to Mother's Day, moms took the field to throw out ceremonial first pitches, turning the diamond into a tribute to the women who have supported their daughters every step of the way.
"Seeing all of our players celebrating with their moms after that first pitch is something that I will probably never forget," said MSSU head coach Hallie Blackney, her voice carrying the emotion of the moment.
Among those honored was Suzie Perry of Bentonville, Arkansas, mother of fifth-year senior Emily Perry. For Suzie, being part of the MSSU softball family has been nothing short of extraordinary. "The culture here at Missouri Southern is bar none the best anywhere," she said. "The team—they are all winners on and off the field."
That culture of excellence doesn't happen by accident. Blackney credits much of her coaching philosophy to her own mother, Kathy (Callahan) Blackney, who started the softball program at Maryville High School and coached her daughter during those formative years. Reflecting on that bond during the 2023 Central Region tournament, Hallie shared: "She always found a way for us to enjoy practice. I vividly remember writing practice plans the night before with her if she was too tired or busy grading her students' work. When I went off to college and grad school, that's when Mom and I became super close. She was always there, no matter the time of day. She was my best friend and always knew what to say if I needed advice. I think my mom would be proud of our softball program and who we are. It's not so much what we do, but how we do it."
Kathy Blackney, a former teammate of MSSU Hall of Fame coach Pat Lipira at Northwest Missouri State University, passed away in 2020. But her presence is never far from the field. "I wear her necklace every game," Hallie said, clutching the keepsake. "In the top of the seventh inning, I said, 'Mom, be with us here right now, and whatever is going to happen is going to happen.' I wish she could be here to experience this in person, but I know that she is with us."
And in that very inning, the Lions' village rallied together. With the game tied 1-1 and the stakes at their highest, Emily Perry delivered an early Mother's Day gift that will be remembered for years: a towering three-run homer that sealed a 4-1 victory over Rogers State, clinching the MIAA Championship at Emporia State University's Trusler Field.
From the ceremonial first pitch to the final swing, it was a day that reminded everyone why family—both on and off the field—is the heart of the game.