The Tigers have a quest in varsity softball, according to coach Megan Gilbertson: They want a district title this season. “We got a taste of playing in the championship game last year and these girls are willing to put in the work to get us there again,” said Gilbertson, whose club fell to Platte County in the Class 4 District 8 title game. The Tigers have 27 players in their program as they pursue their quest, including seven returning players. One of those players is senior shortstop Karli Shipman, who’ll look to lead Excelsior Springs offensively again. Last season, Shipman batted .341, with 12 extra-base hits, 31 runs scored and 11 stolen bases. Junior Bailey Carder returns to pitch. Carder threw 74.1 innings in 2021, posting a 7-4 record and a 2.16 earned run average. She’ll look to improve on her offensive numbers from last season, including a .326 batting average. Senior catcher Daelyn Williams return...