North Callaway’s one win during Saturday’s Centralia Invitational tournament was an important one.

North Callaway vs Hallsville Photo Gallery

The Class 2 No. 7 Ladybirds won 10-0 in five innings against Eastern Missouri Conference foe Wright City (7-15) in their second of three games, earning head coach Mariah McKee’s 100th career win. They lost 6-5 to California (9-12) and 23-6 to Hallsville (9-10) in the day’s other action but picked up a milestone for the only head coach they’ve had in high school.

After Megan Schmidt secured North Callaway’s third shutout in five games, the Ladybirds (18-9) surprised McKee and her assistant Kalyn Bradshaw, who has been with McKee in every victory, with signs and memorabilia of the milestone. It definitely was a surprise for McKee.

“I don’t even look at that stuff,” McKee said. “I did not even know that I was in the ballpark of it. When I saw it, it shocked me. It was really nice, the girls were great and they made my little heart warm up.”

McKee graduated from North Callaway in 2008 and eventually returned to coach her alma mater. Over time, the Ladybirds improved to the point of winning 21 games a season ago and are close to another 20-win season after going six seasons without one. 

Over the past four seasons, North Callaway has 61 wins and counting. The handful of seniors have been there for more than half of McKee’s victories and had to be the group to secure the milestone.

“I couldn’t have done without them,” McKee said. “They’re very important. I don’t think they understand that I can’t do this without them, especially that crew. Ever since they were freshmen, they have just worked tail and bone to get things done and put wins on the board. I love watching them develop.”

As for Saturday’s games that McKee was so focused on, Schmidt extended her streak of innings without a run to 34. Schmidt had 22 strikeouts and also hit two home runs over the three games. 

Kymorie Myers leads the group of seniors as an all-state player from last year. This year, Myers leads the team in RBIs and added a home run to bring her team-high total to five. Some of the other seniors have had key roles like Liv Knoepflein, who is second in RBIs. Addison Bedsworth has stepped into the catcher’s role, and Ella Slater has cheered North Callaway on from the bench despite the all-district outfielder being sidelined all season with an injury.

“We’ve had seven games this week,” McKee said. “We’re just trying to reserve arms giving them the best opportunity they can and just do what we need to do. The girls played phenomenal all week. Winning five out of seven is pretty good for the week.”

Now, McKee wants the Ladybirds to “experience all of the things.” She said North Callaway has the potential to win districts and hopes the team can “see it, feel it and know they can do it” when they reach the postseason. 

McKee said the girls were “very sneaky” with the memorabilia to maintain the surprise. She said she obviously knew it would happen eventually but is so focused on each game that she had “no clue.”

“I just coach,” McKee said. “Wins are great, and of course, we need them. I enjoy this, I enjoy the ride and I love doing this. It’s a huge milestone. I put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this.”