[Stardust]

Ready for its seventh trip in 10 years to the state tournament, the Mercy Academy softball team has established itself as a perennial powerhouse in Kentucky.But there’s something missing from the Jaguars’ trophy case — a state championship.
Mercy, a three-time state runner-up, will try to bring home that elusive trophy this week as one of 16 participants in the Rawlings/KHSAA State Tournament at Jack C. Fisher Park in Owensboro.
According to Kentucky High School Athletic Association records, only one school (Butler, with a 22-16 record) has won more state tournament games than Mercy without winning a championship. The Jaguars are 21-12 in their six trips, finishing as runners-up in 2003, 2009 and 2010.
“To say that we’re the best team that’s never won one, some would view that as a backhanded compliment,” Mercy coach Josh Bloomer said. “I think it’s a compliment because it means our program is established. … Would I like to win one? Yeah. But if we don’t it’s not the end of the world for me.”
Mercy (32-8), ranked No. 4 in the state, is one of 10 Top 25 teams in a deep state tournament field. While No. 1 Allen County-Scottsville — the 2011 state champion — and No. 2 Ballard were eliminated in regional tournament play, six other top-10 teams survived — No. 3 Greenwood (36-5), No. 5 Christian County (31-6), No. 7 Green County (37-3), No. 8 Scott County (32-7-1), No. 9 Owensboro Catholic (29-10-2) and No. 10 North Laurel (35-5).
Bloomer noted that Mercy is in a loaded bottom half of the bracket with Greenwood, Green County, Scott County and Owensboro Catholic.
“I don’t know if I like having a tough draw,” Bloomer said. “If we could have an easier draw where we didn’t have to play everybody, I’d take it. But it will definitely keep us focused on the game at hand, or we’ll be going home early.”
The Jaguars appear to have plenty of weapons to make a deep run.
Senior J.J. Francis, a Murray State signee, will be pitching in her third state tournament and sports a 23-4 record and 0.81 ERA. Bloomer considers her a top candidate for Kentucky’s Miss Softball award.http://saxo.highschoolsports.net/article...el?Avis=B2

[blue1424]

Mercy could win it this year. They have 3 great pitchers in JJ Francis, Hayley Twyman, and Leigh Ellen Thomas. If they can hit the ball well they could very well win their first state championship.