All-State softball

The year keeps getting better for Dodge City High School.

Coming off their first state-tournament appearance in school history, the Red Demons placed two on the 6A All-State softball team.

Senior catcher Grace Ruehle was selected to the firstd team, while utility player Raemie Lopp made the second team.

Ruehle was behind the dish for every game this season while hitting .603 during her final campaign. She also broke the school record with six home runs.

“It’s a great honor,” Ruehle said. “To be a part of the first team to make the state tournament, I’m very proud of that.”

Lopp did a little bit of everything including pitching. She had a 4.12 ERA in the circle, but hit .456 with 19 runs scored and one homer.

The Red Demons won their first conference title before losing in the opening round of the state tournament. They finished 17-6.

For Garden City, their season was cut short in the regional semifinals. But their outstanding sophomore Yaz Vargas was in the headlines again.

Vargas made the all-state squad for the second straight year, hitting a team-best .579 with two home runs and 31 RBI. She hit safely in 19 out of 21 games.