The Platte County softball team has brought home state hardware in each of the last two seasons with expectations to repeat recent history this fall.
The Lady Pirates have finished in third place in both 2020 and 2021, splitting the Class 4 Final Four games in each season. Platte County only lost three seniors from last fall so will have a familiar squad.
Abby Reynolds, above, has been a consistent outfielder in her Lady Pirates’ career.
“You can’t replicate what it feels like to be at state, so it’s a perfect experience,” Platte County head softball coach Callie Peoples said. “They’re hungry, they’re tired of getting third and they want to win, so I think they’ll carry it into the season.”
Platte County has a surplus of upperclassmen, which includes six seniors. Takayla Lawson, Mackenzie Shields, Demi Riechers, Abby Reynolds, Hannah Mand and Ava Carter will be essential in their final year at Platte County.
“They all bring a lot of different things to the table with different assets. Some are leaders by example, some are vocal leaders and some are leaders by how hard they work, so I appreciate how they’ve already led in past years and they’re going to continue it this year,” Peoples said.
Kallie Hitzelberger posted a 10-4 record on the mound in her freshman campaign and will be the Lady Pirates’ top pitcher in 2022, while Shields will also pitch. Platte County will have a tougher regular season this fall to help prepare them for the postseason.
“We have strengthened our schedule this year and are playing more Class 5 schools so we get to see that higher competition all year and it’s not a surprise when we get to state. That’s one way of how we are trying to get over that hump of third place twice and maybe get it a little bit further and get a win this year,” Peoples said.