Kassidy Kinzie is MVP

Talk about taking softball to a new level; how about clear to the MVP level?

Kassidy Kinzie, a 2019 Plains High School graduate who led the Trotters to third place in the State B-C tournament that season, was named MVP of the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) Region XIII tournament after leading the Miles City Community College regional championship last month.

The Miles City CC Pioneers' primary pitcher during their run to the Super Regionals, where they lost twice and were finally eliminated in the final round of 16 NJCAA teams by a Des Moines Area CC squad, Kinzie missed her freshman season at Mile City due to COVID-19.

A freshman eligibility wise, Kinzie has graduated from Miles City CC earning an associate of arts degree with an elementary education emphasis and says she is done playing collegiate softball.

"I could go on to a four-year school but I'm ready to be done," she told the Ledger earlier this week. "They should be good again next year though. We had a strong freshman class and a lot of strong players coming in the fall."

The Pioneers went 29-15-1 this year under the coaching of Shawna Juarez, who was named Region XIII Coach of the Year. Four of Kinzie's teammates were named to the All-Region XIII team as well.

Kinzie posted some impressive pitching statistics this season, going 15-8 in 139 innings pitched. She struck out 156 and compiled an earned run average of 3.58 while completing 17 games.

Miles City CC competes in the Mon-Dak Athletic Conference of the NJCAA.