Megan Moreno’s second season as Wayne’s fast-pitch softball coach looks like it could be even better than her first.

Moreno returns eight of nine starters from a team that finished 18-14 and won a district championship for the first time in 10 years. The Lady Bulldogs advanced to regionals but fell short of reaching the Class A state tournament.

Wayne opens the season with a home game against Ninnekah on Monday, plays at Wynnewood the following day, then competes at the Verden Festival on Aug. 13-14.

“Our expectation is to make it to state this year,” Moreno said. “Last year was just kind of new for us. We were pretty young. I don’t think they thought it was possible. I think they got a taste of success last year and now they're like ‘oh, we’re making it.’

“They came out and worked all summer long. Most of these girls didn’t miss a single summer (workout). I think they have a really good shot at making it to state if we can stay healthy and do what’s required to get there.”

Moreno’s daughter Maddie, the team’s top pitcher, heads the list of returning players. She recorded 75 strikeouts as a freshman and nearly doubled that total with 143 strikeouts in 114 innings last season. She also batted .500 for the Lady Bulldogs.

“She just kind of took over and was able to be really successful in the circle for us,” Megan Moreno said. She took a lot of the games on her shoulder and was able to close a lot of them out. She had a phenomenal district at Central, which is how we ended up winning that district. We need another season like that this year.”

Wayne’s No. 2 pitcher is sophomore Natalie Knobloch, who threw in spots last season as a ninth grader but pitched for her travel ball team over the summer and gained some valuable experience, according to her coach

“She’s matured a lot over the year, so she’s ready for high school pitching now,” Megan Moreno said. “We’ll have two really good pitchers this year, which makes a big difference.”

Four of Wayne’s eight returnees are seniors, led by Taelyn Ringwald, a left-handed slap hitter who plays three positions, and Cylie Jones, a four-year starter at second base who batted better than .400 a season ago.

Senior centerfielder Audra Watts hits for power but also has the speed to run down balls in the outfield and bunt for base hits.

“She’s a super-fast kid and one of the best leaders on the team,” Moreno said. “Very positive. “

Addison Clagg is another returning starter who is expected to play multiple positions and be the team’s No. 3 pitcher.

Maddie Moreno, Knobloch and Clagg will pitch to either Kyndall Sparks or Skie Jones, who both started games at catcher last season as freshman.

Megan Moreno is a defensive-minded coach who has emphasized the “short-ball game” in recent practices. Assistant Michal Hylton-Gregg played college softball and coaches the pitchers.

“I’m big on showing effort, attitude and hustle out there,” Moreno said. “Winning’s a bonus. Being a good person is the first thing I want out of all these girls.

“Most of these girls I had as third graders when I taught at Wayne a long time ago. It’s kind of fun to come full circle and now they’re all going to be seniors this year. These kids were great kids in third grade at 9-years-old and now they’re even better kids at 18 years old. To get to be a piece of that is kind of exciting.”