After winning her 400th career game earlier this week, Jefferson City softball coach Lisa Dey didn't have to think long when asked what it means to her.
"It means you've been around a long time," she joked.
Dey, who picked up No. 400 in Monday's 6-2 victory against St. Elizabeth, was honored between innings of the Lady Jays' 17-5 victory against Southern Boone on Wednesday at the American Legion Sports Complex.
"It is a number, but if you think about it, it is quite a few wins," Dey said. "I don't look at it as far as my 400th win. I think it's Jefferson City's 400th softball win since I've been coaching. I've had some of the best kids in the world to get to that point."
Dey was presented with a trophy marking her victory after the bottom of the first inning.
She had no idea she was approaching the milestone until she had to fill out some paperwork a few weeks ago.
"If I hadn't have had to fill out the form, I would have never known," Dey said. "I don't keep track of that."
Dey, who is the second longest-tenured coach at Jefferson City High School behind soccer coach Eddie Horn, started as the JV coach in 1993 before becoming the varsity coach in 1994. She has led the Lady Jays to six Final Four appearances and the 2009 state championship.
Win No. 402 turned out to be a rout, but it certainly had a strange start. The game was moved up an hour and a half to 5 p.m. to try and beat the rain. The game actually ended up starting at 4:40 p.m.
Throw in a four-run first inning for Southern Boone and things were a little hectic early on for the Lady Jays.
"Initially we were geared to play second, and then all of a sudden you change things up," Dey said. "We have to start early. I don't want to make excuses because they hit the ball and they scored runs legitimately. Good for them."
After a single and a sacrifice, Southern Boone followed with four straight hits from Katie Price, Jamie Martin, Emma Kelly and Brianna Volle to take a 4-0 lead.
But the rout was on after that. The Lady Jays plated eight runs in the second, seven in the third and two more in the fourth to win by the run-rule.
Seven of Jefferson City's runs in the second came with two outs.
"It was one of those things where I had enough confidence in our hitters to stay calm and relaxed and say, "We've got a lot of game left and see what's going to happen,'" Dey said.
Jefferson City was aided by some Southern Boone defensive miscues. The Lady Eagles (9-12) committed seven errors, allowing seven unearned runs.
"We make simple errors, we keep making errors, keep making errors," Southern Boone coach Ashley Anderson said. "They hit the ball and we don't get out of it. That's been our story the last couple of games."
Krista Brickey settled down after a rough first inning to get the win. The Lady Eagles added a single tally in the third, but Brickey was able to limit the damage as she allowed five runs on nine hits.
Dakota Newton, Brooke Rozier, Riley Hayes and Darby Brundage had three hits each. Rozier had a solo home run. Rozier and Metz scored three runs each. Jefferson City finished with 18 hits.
The Lady Jays (16-3) close the regular season this weekend in the Carthage Invitational.
With districts beginning next week in Sedalia, Dey said she likes the consistency she's seen from this team.
"I think we've been consistent, and I think that's where we need to stay," Dey said.