In sports the only thing more difficult that reaching the top is staying on top. The Lady Hornets softball team found that out last year when they turned in their first losing season since 2001. Just one year after finishing second in the state softball tournament, the Lady Hornets went 6-12 and failed to win the district title for the first time since 2004.
    This season, with the departure of seven seniors, Chillicothe coach Stan Baldwin will rely on a small handful of veterans and a large number of young talent. 
     "We've been pretty successful over the years" commented Baldwin, "and then when you get down, it's trying to keep the girls up and play their best and stay in ball games. If we continue that and build on last year and each day try to get a little better, then hopefully by the end of the season we can play with anyone."
     The Lady Hornets had just two Juniors last year and are down in overall numbers in 2013 with just 18 players. That equals new faces in new positions, something that Coach Baldwin says will mean a large learning curve for some players.
     "A lot of key spots we'll have young players for sure, include one freshman playing varsity, two or three sophomores, two or three juniors and two seniors. We'll have a lot of people in different positions they've never played before."
     Chillicothe will rely on returning Senior starting pitcher Kelsey Boley to keep them in the games. "She's not an overpowering pitcher, but does a good job of managing the game, locating her pitches and keeping us in the ball games" commented Baldwin. Behind the plate, however, will likely be a new and somewhat inexperienced face for the first time in several years.
     Other key returning players are Baldwin's youngest daughter Samantha at Shortstop who earned All Conference, District and Region honors, and led the team in several offensive categories as a Sophomore last year. Centerfielder Lauren Jones (Jr) and First Base Brooke Nelson (Jr) also return to their starting spots. Coach Baldwin will also rely on outfielder Mallory Gaston to step into a Senior leadership roll this season.
     With so many positions up for grabs, Baldwin is giving a long look at several younger players including Keeley Eckert (Soph) who Baldwin calls a hard worker, Utility Player Jaylene Sturguess (Soph)  who can play most anywhere, and freshman Kaylee Rucker who he says has good ball sense.

     In the MEC race, look for another knock down drag out fight between several schools including LeBlond, Smithville, Cameron and Benton.