Jefferson City softball coach Lisa Dey often tells her team, "Leave the field better than you came."
With more than half of the season finished, the Lady Jays have lived up to those words.
"We've been pretty consistent," Dey said after the Lady Jays defeated Smith-Cotton 15-0 in three innings Monday night at the American Legion Sports Complex.
The Lady Jays, who just completed a string of 10 straight games in town, are now 11-2 on the season, with a one-run loss to Rock Bridge and a two-run loss to Blair Oaks as the only blemishes.
The strong start to the season continued Monday night as the Lady Jays sent 17 batters to the plate in the first inning and led 12-0. All 12 runs were unearned thanks to six Smith-Cotton errors. Krista Brickey and Alyson Metz each had two hits in the inning.
The Lady Jays added three runs in the second, all earned, and the game ended after 21â„2 innings due to the 15-run rule.
Dakota Newton, Taylor Dey and Brooke Rozier all scored three runs each. The Lady Jays finished with 10 hits.
"They could have come out and taken Sedalia real lightly, and kind of just laid an egg and not played real well, but we didn't," Dey said. "We came out and we hit the ball and we hit the ball well. I'm really happy for them."
The first batter of the game reached on an error for Smith-Cotton (6-13). She was erased on a 3-6 double play. Krista Brickey and Hannah Hirschvogel set down the rest of the lineup in order.
"She's been consistent all year long," Dey said of Brickey. "She's been throwing well all season for us."
Jefferson City's offense has been just as consistent. The Lady Jays are averaging 7.5 runs per game and have scored at least five runs in 11 games.
"They've worked hard in the offseason to become better hitters," Dey said. "Not just that 1-for-10 or 2-for-10, now they are looking for 4- or 5-for-10."
Monday's game was Senior Night, as the Lady Jays honored Riley Hayes, Newton and Metz before the game.
"These are veterans," Dey said. "They've been playing varsity since they were freshmen. They are really special because they are great leaders, wonderful kids."
Jefferson City will play its next seven games away from home, beginning at 5:30 p.m. today at Hickman. That is followed by games this weekend in the Kewpie Classic.