When turning a program around, it starts with gaining confidence.

That is what new Van-Far softball head coach Shaylen Bailey said as the Lady Indians look to bounce back from a 5-16 season last year. Bailey said the upperclassmen number to nine while the underclassmen will be around five players to help guide the program into a positive future.

“I think something this team needs to work on is overall their confidence in themselves and knowing they can do stuff and play the game that they know how to do,” Bailey said.

Bailey said this includes having the offensive dimension of bunting with small ball and slap hitting and proper baserunning.

“I would like to incorporate some slap bunters but also make sure that each player can lay down a bunt if I know that we need to move runners to get home,” Bailey said. “I want them to be able to score some runs in more games this year.”

Van-Far had a three-year scoring average high of 5.5 runs but will be without all-conference and all-district player Mara Jensen due to graduation. Still, Bailey has some bats in which she has a lot of confidence.

The Nos. 4 through 6 spots in the order have some promising potential this year, starting with Reeve Woodall. She will be someone who will be relied on in many positions as she can catch, pitch, play the infield and crush pitches.

“Reeve is one of our strongest batters,” Bailey said. “She hits them pretty far most every time, which is awesome.”

Dalana Gay and Elliott Utterback are the names Bailey sees as the most likely fits for those spots in the order.

The reigning all-district player Gay will be an integral part on the other side of the ball as well as Van-Far’s primary pitcher. She can also play infield but will take much of the pitching responsibilities ahead of Woodall and maybe sophomores Makayla McCurdy and Mariah Maggard.

Bailey said pitching will probably be a struggle again this season following 7.6 runs allowed last year, which was a three-year low. She hopes the infield defense having so many returning players like Gay, Woodall, all-district primary catcher Carmen Wilburn and the athletic shortstop Kayla Heaton will make a difference. Freshmen Mylee Keller and Utterback can also play some infield.

“Our infield defense is going to be pretty strong this year. That’s our goal anyway,” Bailey said. “Having so many previous players that are still there is going to help the younger ones having those leaders.”

Wilburn and centerfielder Katelyn Sutton are the seniors that will shoulder the leadership role as will McKenna Engh-Hoffman to some degree. Engh-Hoffman will be out for the year due to a torn ACL, however.

“My goal this year is just to build upon the knowledge that they do know and to see them be able to apply it in a game,” Bailey said. “I also want to build their confidence levels to where they know they can do things and hopefully get some wins under their belt so they could feel more energized and ready to continue for the next game later that week.”