Community R-6 softball was thrown into the deep end immediately last year.

The Lady Trojans finished with their first losing season in eight years, but many of their starters were freshmen. Those freshmen had to play more than 30 games.

Community will have 13 girls and three of those girls will be upperclassmen. While there will be plenty of underclassmen, head coach Jeff Angel said the sophomores, which is the largest class, played so many games last year and can use that experience this year.

“I can see a world of difference from this year to last year,” Angel said. “They got thrown in the fire last year because we still had low numbers. They were 14-year-old girls playing against 17- and 18-year-old girls. That’s a big difference.”

Angel said the Lady Trojans made their share of mistakes, but they learned a lot. He has noticed the sophomores are more knowledgeable and comfortable.

Myla Carroll will be a junior who will be relied on a lot, Angel said, since she is one of the team’s pitchers and better hitters. Lydia Hoyt is the lone senior who’s being looked at for the top of the order, and Sophie Fennewald is the other junior who can be a utility player.

That sophomore group brings promising talent, including all-conference and all-district catcher Maci Poindexter and all-district outfielder Ana McLeod. Poindexter had 30 RBIs, and McLeod scored 23 runs.

“Maci will probably be behind the plate 90 percent of the time and was one of my key hitters,” Angel said. “Ana McLeod was also one of my key hitters. I expect a lot out of them.”

Angel anticipates more out of Kaytlynn Arens this year and could see her hitting near the top of the order or even in the leadoff spot. Natali Sommer has looked good hitting the ball in practice, and Macy Woodside has grown from playing travel ball. He said Emma Morgan should add some pop to the lineup after coming back to Community R-6 from Mexico.

From what he has seen in practice and during summer scrimmages, Angel said Community has hit the ball well. He hopes to see this transfer into games this fall but can at least expect a lot of speed from this group.

“Offensively, if we score six or seven runs, we’re going to be in every ballgame,” Angel said. “Last year, we struggled and didn’t score very much, but I think we’ll be better. Putting the ball in play, doing the small things like bunting and taking advantage of the other team’s mistakes.

Alexis Schafer is a freshman who will immediately have a big role. She will be a pitcher and has showcased a lot of talent in the circle and at the plate from playing high-level travel ball.

“She’s going to step right in and not only pitch varsity level, but she’s going to be very key offensively, too,” Angel said. “She’s going to eat a lot of innings for me. She sees a lot of tougher lineups in the summertime.”

Along with taking extra bases, Angel said Community should avoid giving the opposition extra outs. Errors and inability to make possible plays hurt the Lady Trojans last year, but being better in those areas can help them contend for a Central Activities Conference title again.

“When we’re on defense, we’re trying to keep everybody to the furthest base,” Angel said. “Make it hard on them. Knowing what you’re going to do before the ball is hit to you.”