Moms an important part of MSSU softball culture

A post on the Missouri Southern State University softball team’s Facebook page reads “It takes a village.”

An important part of that “village” are the mothers of those MSSU softball players, and on Saturday, before the start of the MIAA title game against Rogers State University, mothers of both teams were honored by the MIAA ahead of Mother’s Day by throwing out ceremonial first pitches.

“Seeing all of our players celebrating with their moms after that first pitch is something that I will probably never forget.” MSSU head coach Hallie Blackney said.

Among those Southern moms was Suzie Perry, of Bentonville, Ark., mother of fifth-year senior Emily Perry. She talked about what it has been like being a part of the MSSU softball family.

“It’s great, the culture here at Missouri Southern is — bar none — the best anywhere,” Suzie Perry said. “And the team, they are all winners on and off the field.”

Part of the culture that has been created by Blackney she credits to her own mom, Kathy (Callahan) Blackney.

In high school, Hallie played for her mom, who started the softball program at Maryville High School. The last time MSSU hosted a Central Region tourney in 2023, Blackney talked about how the coach/mother relationship influenced her own coaching style.

“She always found a way for us to enjoy practice, and I vividly remember writing practice plans the night before with her if she was too tired or busy grading her students’ work,” Hallie Blackney said in 2023. “When I went off to college and grad school, that’s when Mom and I became super close. She was always there, no matter the time of day or what the issue was. She was my best friend and always knew what to say if I needed advice. I think my mom would be proud of our softball program and who we are. It’s not so much what we do, but it’s how we do it I think she’d be proud.”

Kathy (Callahan) Blackney, former Northwest Missouri State University teammate of MSSU Hall of Fame softball oach Pat Lipira, passed away in 2020, but Hallie Blackney said her mom’s presence was felt before, during and after Saturday’s championship game.

“I wear her necklace every game and in the top of the seventh inning, I said, ‘Mom, be with us here right now and whatever is going to happen is going to happen.’ I wish she could be here to experience this in person, but I know that she is with us,” Blackney said as she clasped the necklace.

In the top of that seventh frame, Emily Perry gave her mom, Suzie Perry, an early Mother’s Day present. With the game tied at 1-1, Emily hammered a three-run homer to give the Lions a 4-1 win over Rogers State in the title game of the MIAA Championship at Emporia State University’s Trusler Field.

Senior Carsen Tinkler’s mom, Lori Tinkler, talked about being a part of the Lions softball family and her daughter’s experience at MSSU.

“It’s been a great experience for her at Missouri Southern.” Lori Tinkler said. “It’s bittersweet for us, because she is our youngest. It’s been 20 years of watching her play. But it’s not over yet (a phrase constantly voiced by Carsen). I hope we get a few more weeks of it, But it has been great and we just love supporting Missouri Southern and being a part of such a great team and a great family.”