Like other sports teams, the Excelsior Springs varsity softball squad is looking for leadership from within the players’ ranks this fall. Senior Karli Shipman intends to be one of those leaders. Shipman enters her fourth season as the starting shortstop for the Tigers, who started practice Monday, per Missouri State High School Activities Association regulations. The Tigers, the Class 4 District 8 runners up last season, are slated to open Shipman’s final season Aug. 26-27 in tournament play at Cameron, then play back-to-back Independence-based schools – William Chrisman Aug. 30 at Chrisman and Truman Aug. 31 at Excelsior Springs. During her prep softball career, Shipman has been a two-time team Most Valuable Player Award-winner. Her other honors have included being a two-time all-region, all-district and all-conference selection. She also received academic allconference honors. “High school softball is like a breath of fresh ai...