The 2025 softball season is something the Windsor team will never forget. On Saturday against Westminster, the Owls were determined to earn a victory — and their first-ever trip to the state tournament.
While the team buzzed with excitement, junior Aubree Palmer waited for her turn to bat, cheering on her teammates from the dugout. Late in the game, the outcome of the game was still up in the air.
As Palmer was called up to pinch hit in the sixth inning, nerves started to set in. The coaches offered her a few encouraging words to help her refocus and gain confidence. Moments later, Palmer connected with the pitch — and sent the ball sailing over the fence for her first-ever high school home run, a pinch-hit homer that electrified the team and crowd.
“I wasn’t expecting to even get put into the game,” Palmer said. “But I wasn’t thinking about anything when I stepped up to the plate. Coach Lamar gave me a speech and helped me gain my confidence. It felt really good.”
The dugout erupted in cheers as Palmer rounded the bases, securing crucial runs for the Owls and earning bragging rights for her milestone hit.
Head Coach Wayne Montgomery was just as thrilled. “She’s a good softball player — we’ve got a good lineup,” Montgomery said. “She’s been hitting really well in practice lately, and when she filled in during districts, she had some quality at-bats. I know she has power, so I thought if we got someone on base, it would be the perfect opportunity to put her in. She hit a bomb — and I think I tweaked my neck from jerking so hard to see how fast it left the stadium.”
It was a moment to remember — not just for Palmer, but for the entire team. The Owls’ win secured their first-ever trip to the state tournament, a historic milestone for Windsor softball. The team will play Father Tolton in the semifinals at 1pm on Thursday in Springfield, MO.
The school had a sendoff for the team on Wednesday morning. On Thursday, the school will also send a pep bus of students and staff to support the program. The Owls, who were just the No. 4 seed in the district tournament, are hoping to continue their winning ways. With the way they’re playing together, anything is possible.
Palmer said, “It just shows what we can do when we believe in ourselves. This team is like a family, and we’re ready to make history together.”
