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. ...
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.