Park Hills, Mo. (KFMO) - The Mineral Area Lady Cardinals softball program will be playing in the Central District Tournament this weekend on their home field. MAC used late inning heroics to win the Region 16 Tournament winning back-to-back games against St. Louis Community College. The first game, 8-6 in ten innings, and the Championship Game 3-2. MAC scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Kelsie Politte hit a game tying triple and Ainsley Burnett walked it off with a game-ending single.
The Region 16 championship is the first for MAC softball since 2016 but for head coach CJ Wright and daughter Gracie, championships, and more importantly winning, are nothing new.
The father-daughter duo has had success at any level they’ve competed at. While at West County High School, the Wrights led West County to two MAAA Conference Tournament titles, one District title, and a remarkable run to the 2023 Class 3 State Championship Game with a 24-4 record.
CJ says the success he and Gracie have had on the diamond at different levels comes from a connection they have not only as father-daughter but also as coach and player.
2024 brought changes for the family. Gracie spent the school year at Three Rivers Community College, while CJ began his coaching tenure at Mineral Area. In the offseason, Gracie made a difficult decision coming back home to the Park Hills area.
After batting .381 with Three Rivers, Gracie has flourished at the plate for MAC batting .414 through the regular season. She helped the Lady Cardinals punch their ticket to the Central District Tournament in her final year coached by her father. She says the success they’ve achieved has meant a lot.
CJ says the goal that Gracie had for herself, to win a college championship, put a lot of pressure on him this year as they wrap up their final season together.
CJ, Gracie and the Lady Cardinals softball team will compete in the Central District Tournament May 10-11 at home with a shot to advance to the NJCAA DII Softball Championship on the line.
Here the story as it aired on AM-1240 KFMO in our morning sports segment on Friday, May 9, 2025.