Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: The St. Edmond softball squad is back at the state tournament. Team members are, front row (left to right): Lizzy Tiernan, Lauren Gibb, Hadley Oswald, Ansley Oswald, Faith Shirbroun, Kaili Henning, Jade Rock and Greenlee Crimmins; Middle: Kara McGonegle, Toryn Helle, Olivia Andrew, Myrah Lemon, Ava Bradley, Mariah Myers, Ava Andrew, Sophia Schlienz, Josie Harvey and Ashlyn Swisher; Back: Head Coach Bill Shirbroun, Coach Bill Myers and Coach Brian Maxson.

Bill Shirbroun was not shy about the expectations facing his St. Edmond softball program this year.

After qualifying for the state tournament last summer, the Gaels returned nearly their entire lineup and then added University of Iowa commit Mariah Myers.

That put plenty of emphasis on making a run at earning a second consecutive bid to state, something the program had yet to accomplish.

St. Edmond did just that, putting together a banner year that included winning a second straight outright North Central Conference title, earning a Top-5 ranking and claiming a regional championship.

The Gaels (25-5 overall) begin pursuit of their first-ever state crown here Tuesday evening at Rogers Park on their home diamond against Collins-Maxwell (27-3). First pitch is scheduled for 5:15 p.m.

“From the end of last season to the start of this one, all we talked about was getting back to state,” Shirbroun said. “That was the expectation for this group. And honestly, it is the expectation for this program moving forward.

“We might have been a year early in the eyes of many when we qualified last season, but these girls wanted it and they took it.”

Shirbroun, who owns a career record of 93-46 in five seasons at the helm, has gone 48-18 over the last two years. St. Edmond is making its sixth state appearance all-time having placed as high as third previously.

Last year, the Gaels dropped a 1-0 quarterfinal decision to top-seed Martensdale-St. Marys in an instant classic. Martensdale-St. Marys would reach the championship round before falling to North Linn.

“I thought we proved we belonged at state with that performance,” Shirbroun said. “It showed that our schedule got us ready, so we went out and put together a schedule (for 2024) that would do the same thing.”

St. Edmond did not lose to a Class 1A opponent, as four of the five regular season defeats came to fellow state qualifiers: top-ranked (2A) Van Meter, No. 1 (4A) North Polk, fifth-rated (5A) Waukee Northwest and No. 11 (5A) Urbandale. The other loss was to a 5A program as well in Marion Linn-Mar.

Myers, a junior who was part of the state championship and runner-up teams at Fort Dodge Senior High before not playing high school ball last year, is tied for third in the state for all five classes with a .627 batting average. Her 14 home runs is tied for fourth, and she is the state leader in on-base percentage (.734) and slugging percentage (1.478).

Myers and fellow junior Lauren Gibb are two of just six players in the state who have yet to strike out. Gibb also ranks tied for third in 1A and tied for 13th overall with 43 steals, and has yet to be thrown out on the bases.

St. Edmond has hit 26 home runs this summer, setting a new single-season school record. Myers also broke that school record with her total.

Faith Shirbroun, a sophomore who earned all-state honors a year ago alongside Gibb and senior Kaili Henning, has hit seven of those homers while also scoring 46 runs and stealing 35 bases.

Henning, the only senior on the roster, is one of eight Gael players with a batting average over .300. She is 15-3 inside the circle, striking out 155 batters with a 2.36 earned run average.

“Kaili has been our rock,” Shirbroun said. “Even in the regional final when she was sick, she wanted the ball and she competed. She has complete trust in the defense behind her.”

Along with Myers, Toryn Helle has been another welcome addition to the lineup. Just an eighth-grader, Helle has recorded 13 doubles with three homers while driving in 30 runs.

Sophia Schlienz, a freshman, took her place at second base and has found a home. Returning junior starters Ansley Oswald, Hadley Oswald and Josie Harvey have all played key roles throughout the year.

“These girls have put in the work and are enjoying the rewards,” Shirbroun said. “But the mission is not done yet.”