Messenger photos by Britt Kudla: The St. Edmond softball squad poses with their state tournament trophy on Friday at Rogers Park. For more photos, visit CU.messengernews.net

The careers of four of the most decorated softball players in St. Edmond school history came to an end here Friday inside Rogers Park.

Recent graduates Mariah Myers, Lauren Gibb, Ansley Oswald, and Hadley Oswald helped the program qualify for the state tournament in three consecutive seasons for the first time, reach the Class 1A semifinals twice in a row and capture four straight North Central Conference championships.

While the week at state didn’t go as they had hoped with an appearance in the state finals, it did end with a trophy and the chance to compete together again one last time. The Gaels finished fourth overall following a 5-4 loss to Riverside yesterday evening.

Gibb was 2-for-4 with three RBI and a stolen base, Myers had a hit, scored a run and was walked three more times. Hadley Oswald recorded a hit.

“This senior group meant a lot to the team and the school,” SEHS head coach Bill Shirbroun said. “It maybe didn’t go our way this week, but these girls all have so much to be proud of.

“They have worked so hard to showcase their talents and we are going to miss them so much next year.”

Down 5-2 in the seventh, St. Edmond plated two runs on a base hit by Gibb to give themselves a chance. Riverside freshman pitcher Peyton Schafer was able to get the final out, securing the victory.

“We just struggled to get going,” Shirbroun said. “But we kept fighting and we gave ourselves a chance there in the end.”

Myers — headed to Iowa to play softball — and Gibb — an Iowa Central signee — are both former all-state selections who are likely to attain that status again this season. The Oswald sisters have joined them on multiple all-NCC teams over the past four seasons.

St. Edmond, making its eighth appearance at state, has placed third twice before in 2A, along with a fourth-place effort last summer. They were sixth in 2013, tied for seventh in 2003, eighth in 2008 and finished 15th in 1987, when it was a one-class system.

“We have something going here, and I hope that the returning girls and those coming up see how much it means to make it to state,” Shirbroun said. “But also how much time, effort and dedication it takes to make this happen as well.”

Myers and Shirbroun were both selected to the all-tournament squad. Myers, who led the entire state in both walks and on-base percentage, made the state’s all-tournament team four different times in her decorated high school career.

RIVERSIDE 5, ST. EDMOND 4

St. Edmond 002 000 2 – 4 6 2

Riverside 200 030 x – 5 6 4

WP-Peyton Schafer (7 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 4 K, 3 BB). LP-Breckyn Ulrich (4 â…” IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 1 K, 4 BB).

2B-R: Sophia Fenner. RBI-SE: Faith Shirbroun, Lauren Gibb (2); R: Peyton Schafer (2), Kayden Schnack (2). SB-SE: Ella Vandi, Mariah Myers, Lauren Gibb, Myrah Lemon.