THOMAS GETS DRAGONS STARTED AT REGION 6 WITH GEM

Aubree Thomas pitches a three-hit shutout in a 1-0 Blue Dragon Softball victory over Seward County on Friday in the opening round of the Region 6 Tournament in Dodge City. (Steve Carpenter/Blue Dragon Sports Information)

May 2, 2025

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

DODGE CITY – Freshman pitcher Aubree Thomas got the Hutchinson Community College softball team's 2025 Region 6 Tournament run off to a strong start on Friday afternoon at Legends Park.

Thomas twirled a complete-game three-hit shutout as the Blue Dragons defeated Seward County 1-0 in an opening-round matchup.

The Blue Dragons (36-9) will now play Barton in the winner's bracket semifinals at 6 p.m. Friday.

BLUE DRAGON SOFTBALL
Hutchinson (36-9) vs. Barton (33-14)
Region 6 Tournament - Winner's Bracket Semifinal
At: Legends Park, Dodge City
Time: 6 p.m. (likely delayed)
Video: KJCCC Network (PPV)

Thomas (13-3) has struggled in the second half of the Jayhawk Conference season, not pitching passed the fourth innings in her last eight starts. That changed on Friday with a dominant 81-pitch performance against the Saints.

Thomas allowed just three singles while walking two batters and hitting one. Only one Saints baserunner reached third base against Thomas. She allowed two base runners in each of the fourth and fifth innings, but made big pitches to keep the Saints off the scoreboard. Thomas retired the last six batters she faced to close out Hutchinson's opening-round victory.

The shutout was Thomas' second of the season and it was her fifth complete game of her freshman campaign.

The Blue Dragons were limited to three total hits by two Seward County pitchers.

The lone Hutchinson run came in the fourth inning.

Tailor Golly drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a Gabby Stauffer groundout. Two batters later, the Dragons had the bases loaded with one out and Addi Lutz sit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Golly for a 1-0 Hutchinson lead.

The Dragons got a six-inning Kaibryn Kruger double and a Brooke Backhaus walk and Brie Brawner reached on an error in the sixth, but push anything across. The Dragons stranded seven runners on base.

With one out in the third inning, Bailey Backhaus singled through the left side to reach the 200 career mark. Bailey Backhaus is the first two-year player to reach 200 career hits. Madison Grimes holds the record with 231 hits, but she collected those over three seasons.

Golly had a first-inning double.