While the story book season for Bourbon High School’s softball team ended in a loss to Houston in the Class 2 District 3 Championship game on May 13, the Lady Warhawks are still being recognized by coaches in the district and in the region. 

Bourbon finished with a 17-6 record under head coach Randy Payne and assistant coach Lindsay Gobin and made the district championship game for the first time in school history.

Senior Annalise Gobin, junior Hallie Kahmke, sophomores Kinzey Waldron, Lauren Hercules and Ella Biles along with freshman Savanna Vance were all recognized for their contributions to Bourbon’s historic season.

Gobin and Waldron were each named first team All-Region and first team All-District, cementing them as two of the top players in the area.

Gobin, the Lady Warhawks’ primary pitcher, was recently awarded multiple scholarships at Bourbon High School’s graduation ceremony, and will continue her softball and academic career at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Mo.

Gobin got better in every season at BHS, capped off by a dominant senior season on the mound. She finished with a 14-6 record in her final go around, with 165 strikeouts in 96 1/3 innings. Gobin ended her career with 404 strikeouts, the most in the history of Bourbon High School softball. She also had a solid .291 batting average hitting out of the number two spot in the batting order and was second on the team in runs scored and stolen bases with 38 runs scored and 22 steals.

Waldron was quietly the Lady Warhawks’ most potent-power hitter. Hitting primarily out of the sixth spot in the batting order, Waldron walloped a team-high three home runs and 11 doubles while maintaining an outstanding .522 batting average. She was also second on the team with 39 runs batted in and quickly turned into the leader of the outfield on defense, playing a strong centerfield sandwiched in between a pair of freshmen at the corner outfield positions.

Hercules was named first team All-District and second team All-Region for her play as the Lady Warhawks’ starting shortstop and leadoff hitter. She showcased speed and power, leading Bourbon in extra base hits after roping five doubles, 10 triples and one home run while having a superb .521 batting average. Hercules also led the Lady Warhawks in runs scored and stolen bases, crossing the plate 46 times while stealing 27 bases.

Vance was named first team All-district and second team All-Region for her play as Bourbon’s starting catcher in her debut season in high school. Vance hit .302 with four doubles, a triple and a home run blast in the district quarterfinal game against Grandview (Hillsboro). She also scored 27 runs, drove in 20 and threw out 11 runners trying to steal from her catcher’s position. She was one of two players to pitch for Bourbon besides Gobin, and is expected to spend more time on the mound next season.

Kahmke and Biles were each named second team All-District. Kahmke was Bourbon’s starting second baseman and backup catcher when Vance went to the mound. She hit .367 with five doubles, four triples and a home run hitting mainly out of the number three spot in the lineup. Kahmke also scored 37 times, drove in 19 runs and stole 16 bases while serving as the Lady Warhawks’ vocal leader on the field and in the dugout.

Biles earned second team All-District honors, appearing to be slighted by the voters in the region after leading Bourbon with a fantastic .587 batting average and 47 runs batted in as the team’s cleanup hitter, despite missing three games for a field trip. Biles also scored 29 runs, stole 10 bases and made 16 put outs on defense from her position at third base.