At times, more than half of the Jefferson City Lady Jays' lineup may be comprised of freshman or sophomores, but that doesn't mean it'll be an inexperienced group.
"Last year we weren't as varsity experienced across the board," Lady Jays coach Zac Miller said. "We just had a lot of kids playing that didn't have a lot of varsity experience. Now this year rolls around and all those girls that were younger last year have a whole year under their belt. Slide a couple more girls in there that are ready and I think we're looking OK."
Miller said he expects to have a couple freshman in the lineup regularly. Other than that, everyone else has had time on the field on the varsity level.
Abi Karr and Olivia Wallace, both sophomores, will return to the corner outfield spots after starting as freshman.
Mychael Jett will once again eat up the most innings in the circle.
"Mychael is throwing real well," Miller said about the junior. "I think she's going to keep us in ballgames. Just trying to shore up that defense to play behind her and hopefully offensively can get everything going."
Jett got some preseason work in during the team's Jamboree on Aug. 11.
"In the Jamboree she threw well," Miller said. "She's been pitching long enough that we know what to expect from her. I think she's got a little more movement on her ball. I think her consistency as well. That's something that we definitely talked to her last year about."
When Jett wasn't in the circle last season, Megan Green was. It looks like that will continue this season. Green, a sophomore, is also expected to fill in as a hitter.
"They'll be sharing some time in a rotation there with tournaments," Miller said. "Like when we have a heavy schedule next week."
The Lady Jays start the season at 4:30 p.m. today at Lebanon. They'll go to St. Elizabeth on Thursday and Troy on Friday.
Another busy portion of Jefferson City's schedule will start Sept. 5 against Rock Bridge, the start of a stretch that includes seven games in 10 days. Four of those games will be played in a two-day span in the Capital City Invitational.
Green may hit for Freedom Austell, who'll be behind the plate, at times. Austell, a junior, got some playing time last year as a baserunner.
"She's greatly improved from last year," Miller said of Austell. "She's looking a lot more consistent back there. It's going to be a learning process for her."
Miller said Wallace could also play catcher as well.
Jefferson City will have three senior starters returning in Hannah Clardy, Lauren Neubauer and Alex Gilliland. All three played the infield last season.
"We want (Gilliland) in there and doing whatever she can to help out leading by example," Miller said. "She does a great job at that."
As a whole, Miller said the team put in the offseason work.
"I think a lot of them are physically stronger," he said. "They worked hard in the weight room. We told them at the end of the season last year is we don't want you to come into the season next year how you are right now. I think across the board we can see a lot of improvements out of a lot of those girls."