The Blair Oaks softball team may be dropping down to Class 2.
But that hasn't changed the Lady Falcons' approach this season.
"Our goal is always to make it to the Final Four," head coach Sharon Buschjost, now entering her 18th year at the helm, said last week. "I've been fortunate for as many years as I've been coaching here for that to be a realistic goal."
Blair Oaks will be looking to make its eighth trip to the Final Four in the last 15 years as the Lady Falcons open the season at 5 p.m. today with a home game against St. Elizabeth.
"I don't take that for granted, and I think credit goes to the players for wanting to continue with the success the program has had," Buschjost said. "I find myself saying many times I'm very thankful and appreciative of what we have developed and have here."
Blair Oaks finished 25-5 last season after falling to Centralia in the Class 3 state championship game. The Lady Falcons had outscored their opponents 52-1 in five postseason games leading up to that point.
"That was one of the most difficult coaching experiences I've had," Buschjost said. "Anytime you end on a bad note the previous year, I think instinctively you're ready to get back there the next year and want it even more."
Blair Oaks will have to take a slightly different path to get to the Final Four this season. The Lady Falcons have been assigned to District 9 and will match up against California, Eugene, Russellville, Versailles and Warsaw when postseason play starts in October.
The team will also have a slightly different look with the departure of outfielders Sara Jones, Paige Siebeneck, Blake Burks and second baseman LeeAnn Polowy. Combined, the foursome hit .403, connected for seven home runs and tallied 86 RBI.
That doesn't mean the Lady Falcons will be lacking experience or talent this year.
Senior shortstop Jolie Duffner, who has verbally committed to Missouri, is back after hitting a team-high .560 and driving in 38 runs as a junior.
Payton Staggs is also returning after putting up eye-popping numbers as a pitcher and at the plate.
As a sophomore last season, Staggs went 20-4 with a 1.71 ERA and struck out 121 batters in 1311/3 innings. Staggs proved she could also swing the bat, hitting .467 to go along with a team-best 41 RBI and nine home runs.
"I think with Payton, she probably studies hitters and has a plan for each hitter more than your normal pitcher," Buschjost said. "She's pretty quick to identify weaknesses and attack."
Taylor Gehlert, a sophomore, will add some depth in the circle for the Lady Falcons after going 2-1 and compiling a 3.224 ERA in 221/3 innings last season.
"She will definitely play a bigger role this year and she's going to really provide a good 1-2 combination with Payton," Buschjost said. "It's comforting for a coach to have two quality pitchers like those two."
Taylor Markway will resume catching duties after hitting .378 with 21 RBI as a junior to help pace the offensive attack for the Lady Falcons, who hit .410 as a team last season.
Seniors Lauren Viessman and Ashley Fork are returning infielders, while Carli Bushjost is expected to join the starting lineup at second base after playing in 11 games as a freshman last year.
Lindsey Kolb, Karlie Reinkemeyer, Macyn Wilbers, Mackinnley Hamacher and Kaitlyn Otto will compete for playing time in the outfield.
Nicole Otto will be used as a backup catcher, and Natalie Mudd will likely get some at-bats as a designated hitter.
"I always strive for balance," Sharon Buschjost said. "I would rather be good in all areas than excel at one and be mediocre in another.
"In terms of those outfield positions that we're still trying to narrow down, that's what it's going to come down to - which player has the balance of offense and defense; who can put together the best package for us."