Posted: Jun 14, 2018
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. – The Three Rivers softball program embarked on a restoration project two years ago after finishing the 2016 season at 16-44 overall.
Two players from Farmington High School – outfielder Randi Scruggs and first baseman Allison Pingel – became key fixtures in bringing the plan to fruition.
The Lady Raiders had their collective effort rewarded last month by winning the first Region 16 championship in program history and advancing to the NJCAA Division I tournament.
Pingel provided a lethal and record-setting bat as a freshman, setting new single-season highs at Three Rivers in home runs (21), RBI (84) and slugging percentage (.864).
She ranked sixth nationally in RBI and ninth in home runs, and was selected Wednesday by the NJCAA as a NJCAA First Team All-America performer.
Pingel posted a .455 batting average with 87 total hits, and tallied four separate multi-HR games during a breakthrough 44-16 campaign by Three Rivers.
She registered a season-high eight RBI while going 3-for-4 in a 15-3 rout against Ellsworth on March 15, and previously drove in seven while defeating John A. Logan 16-8 on March 2.
The national tournament festivities included a home run derby prior to the opening day of action in St. George, Utah, where Pingel finished second representing the Lady Raiders.
Scruggs paced the offense from the leadoff spot, placing 11th in the nation with 46 stolen bases in 48 attempts before missing the final six contests of the spring with an injured knee.
She earned Third Team All-America recognition, and left Three Rivers as the career leader with 121 runs scored. Her season included a .409 average with 76 hits, 61 runs scored, six triples and 26 RBI.
Scruggs delivered nine three-hit games as a sophomore, and finished 5-for-5 during the opener of a doubleheader March 4 against Arkansas State.
Pingel and Scruggs helped Farmington claim its lone district title to date in 2014.
Matt King - Daily Journal