Megan Schmidt was perfect for North Callaway on Tuesday.

That’s not an exaggeration because Schmidt retired all 15 California hitters she faced in the 10-0 five-inning win at home for the Ladybirds’ second shutout of the year and her first perfect game. Schmidt struck out 12 to follow a record 17 fanned in a 5-3 loss to Marceline for the Cairo tournament championship on Saturday.

Schmidt didn’t allow a hit in five innings in North Callaway’s other shutout this season in a 10-0 five-inning win at home against Clopton. However, the Ladybirds (9-4) had two errors in that game but perfectly pounced on two bunts by California (5-11) in the fourth inning.

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“I definitely held myself accountable,” Schmidt said. “I wanted to prove to myself that I could be accountable to my team. No matter what the game is — easy or hard — I will do my best no matter what.”

Schmidt said she tries to give 100 percent effort whenever she steps in the circle, and this year has been even better through 13 games than her all-state junior year. She finished with a 0.91 ERA in 22 appearances and 20 starts last year and went into Tuesday’s game with a 0.85 ERA. 

Strike one was an effective weapon for Schmidt as she got ahead on the first pitch to 14 of the hitters and struck out the one where she fell behind 2-0. The senior’s walks went down last year to 30 free passes in 123 innings, and she is at 14 through 70⅔ innings this year.

“That’s been my big thing this year,” Schmidt said. “Attacking the zone and trying to keep pitch counts low but be efficient while doing it.”

Head coach Mariah McKee said is eager to pitch as much as she’s eager for strike one.

“She wants the ball,” McKee said “She wants the ball in her hands and in the circle. She’s been a great leader. She works super hard and is just that kid who wants to do it. That’s all you can ask for a leader like that.”

North Callaway went into this season with a younger roster than the past two years, which were both 20-win seasons. However, the Ladybirds haven't lost a step with those teams at over seven runs per game and are better through 13 games at less than three runs per game.

“We’re getting hot at the right time right now,” McKee said. “We’re really starting to hit the ball and are really starting to mesh. The girls are falling into where they need to be, and it starts in the circle and with Megan. When she can be dominant and set that tone early, it helps us. Then give her some cushion and let us have some room to work. If we have room to work giving her that cushion, it just goes hand in hand.”

Schmidt leads North Callaway at the plate as well by hitting around .500 with an OPS over 1.600. She added to her team-high RBI total with a RBI double against California to put at 17 through 13 games. 

Not far behind her is senior Kendra Pennell, who went 2-for-3 with three RBIs to give her 15 RBIs. Pennell is also hitting .500 with an OPS over 1.202 through 13 games.

“It’s good pop in the middle,” McKee said. “We got speed on the bases and we’ve got a little speed behind her, so it’s the perfect spot to put a really good bat. She’s really comfortable there.”

At the top of the lineup is senior slapper Mady Gordon, who is hitting over .400 with an OPS over 1.000. Most importantly, Gordon has on base percentage over .500 to put only behind Schmidt and is behind her with 16 runs scored.

“When you have a slapper and bunter hitter in the No. 1 hole hitting that and you know she can get on base, that gives Megan something to hit in,” McKee said. “That’s what you want.”

On Tuesday, Camrey Green was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and Ella Neal went 2-for-3. The Ladybirds have four other girls in the lineup hitting at least .300 and Green and Neal are two of them. Green owns an OPS over 1.000. 

North Callaway (3-1 EMO) plays at Eastern Missouri Conference foe Wellsville-Middletown (1-9, 0-3 EMO) at 5 p.m. Wednesday.