The West Platte softball team made big strides last season and will look to use that as momentum when the Lady Blue Jays retake the field this fall.
West Platte senior Emily VanNatta will lead the Lady Jays on the mound this fall.
For the first time since 2014, the Lady Blue Jays finished last season with more wins than losses with a record of 14-7. Only losing two seniors from last fall, West Platte is bringing back seven starters.
“I think that success and with that host of returners we have, we are just going to build on it,” West Platte head softball coach Bailee Giger said. “I think we have the most girls who played summer ball than we’ve ever had so that’s going to help.”
The Lady Blue Jays will have four seniors, led by star pitcher Emily VanNatta. In 2021, she was a first team all-district and second team all-regional selection after being West Platte’s top pitcher.
“Emily kind of worked into that role. We were at our best defensively last season when she was on the mound,” Giger said.
Senior Laura Hill and sophomore Emma Downing will pitch this fall as well. Sophie Grier, who is a freshman and left-handed, and Sage Wallingford, a sophomore, will likely find some time on the mound.
“I kind of have a host of pitchers, but experience wise, Emily (VanNatta) and Laura (Hill) are our top ones,” Giger said.
Center fielder Colby Shepardson and shortstop Madisyn Matlick are the other two 2022 seniors. Shepardson made the first team all-district, first team all-region and all-conference outfield, while Matlick made the second-team all-district.
Coach Giger will miss the first six weeks of the season while she is on maternity leave and assistant coach Greg Reynolds will step in as interim coach during that time frame. West Platte will aim to compete in the KCI and try and win the first district title in program history.
“I think we just have to mentally believe we can win every game we are in. We have the skill set, we are going to be able to hit the ball and play defense; it’s just about handling adversity and overcoming that,” Giger said.