Branson, MO - Stephens closed out the 2026 season with a 7-1 loss to Cottey in the AMC Tournament on Tuesday afternoon in Branson, finishing the year with an 11-32 record.
The Stars struck first in the opening inning as Kyndal Vincent reached base and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Landry Bales to take an early 1-0 lead.
Stephens continued to generate offense throughout the game, tallying eight hits, with Vincent leading the way with two. Mylee Hawkins, Elise Kendrick, Leanna Mitts, AJ Thurston, Skylar Jacobs, and Celeste Athon each added a hit as the Stars consistently put runners on base.
Cottey responded in the fourth inning, scoring four runs to take control, and added three more in the fifth to extend the lead to 7-1. Stephens threatened late with baserunners in the sixth and seventh innings but was unable to push across another run.
Katie Dennis started in the circle, going 3.2 innings, while Kendrick provided relief over the final 2.1 innings.
The loss brings the 2026 season to a close for the Stars, who showed flashes of offensive production in the finale but were unable to overcome Cottey's middle-inning surge.
