North Callaway’s softball program has been trending upward.

The Ladybirds finished last year with their first winning season in five years at 17-16 and have a roster hungry for even more this year.

Head coach Mariah McKee said there are four seniors this year and only a few freshmen but a lot of sophomores and juniors that make up the total number of around 18 players. That majority had much experience already on the field.

“Having the experience is really going to help us and just having them all buy in and all having the same goals and being able to be there for each other,” McKee said. “They have the confidence, and they know that they can do it because we’ve been there.”

North Callaway picked up four wins in the final three weeks of last season, losing more often than not during that stretch. However, all of those losses were against teams that finished near or above 20 wins and four of those losses were decided by four runs or less, including a 9-8 Eastern Missouri Conference nailbiter with Montgomery County.

After McKee’s juniors and sophomores were in the thick of high-quality games like that, she expects much from that core group and believes it’s just a matter of them believing they can win. The first three in North Callaway’s lineup are each returning award winners. Pitcher and shortstop Megan Schmidt and outfielders Ella Slater and Kymorie Myers – all-state a year ago – provide the primary thump for the Ladybirds offense that averaged more than seven runs per game.

“Those there are going to be pretty devastating at the top for really anybody,” McKee said. “We’re lucky to have them. They’re smart hitters, and I can’t wait to see how they progress through the year.”

Olivia Knoepflein is a “great defensive player” that can play anywhere, McKee said, and is a valuable member of that junior and sophomore group along with speedy slap hitter Madyson Gordon, who McKee expects to create some havoc in the bottom of the order. Knoepflein returns to pitching along with Schmidt and senior Lauren Speight.

McKee said most of the starting spots have been decided but needs to figure out a few that will help the team mesh together well. She said that is someplace that will take the most development with the graduation of players such as Bri Prosser who could serve in a utility role.

“Meshing is probably going to be one thing we’re going to have to work on,” McKee said. “We have girls that are going to be playing in spots that they’re not necessarily used to playing. They can play it, but they’re just not as used to playing it.”