Wayne softball coach Megan Moreno is looking ahead to 2027 after the Lady Bulldogs lost nine of their last 11 games and got bounced from regionals by visiting Turner.

Wayne (16-16-1) struggled down the stretch but finished third in the Southern Plains Conference and earned a high enough ranking to host a district tournament.

The Lady Bulldogs opened with Turner on September 24 but fell behind early and lost 10-2. Wayne collected more errors (3) than hits (2).

Moreno’s team rebounded with a 15-3 win over Mill Creek later that day.

Maddie Moreno, the coach’s daughter, hit a three-run triple, and starter Natalie Knobloch walked one and struck out seven in three innings of work. Knobloch also doubled and drove in a pair of runs.

Wayne had to beat Turner twice the next day to claim a district title and advance to regionals but couldn’t get the job done.

The Lady Bulldogs led 3-1 after one inning, but Turner rallied with three runs in the second inning and never looked back. The Lady Falcons scored two runs in the fifth, three runs in the sixth and a single run in the seventh for a 10-4 win.

“Our postseason was rough,” Moreno told The Register. “We just kind of fell apart and couldn’t work our way back. Although I am disappointed with how our season went, I still love these girls. They work extremely hard at everything they do.”

Wayne loses six seniors, including all three starting outfielders and two starting infielders.

Three of those players — third baseman Taelyn Ringwald, second baseman Cylie Jones and leftfielder Audra Watts — were four-year starters.

“They will be difficult to replace in the field and at the plate,” Megan Moreno said. “And all three are natural born leaders.”

Seniors Addison Clagg, Dakota Martin and Claire Mann also leave big shoes to fill.

“Addison Clagg added depth to our pitching rotation, held down centerfield and was a beast on the bases,” Moreno said. “Dakota Martin played rightfield for us, and Claire Mann was our designated player and occasionally played first base. They will all be hard to replace.”

The cupboard is not bare for the Lady Bulldogs, who return 12 of 18 players, including five starters. Pitchers Natalie Knobloch and Maddie Moreno return along with catcher Kyndall Sparks.

“A lot of others got playing time either in the field, hitting, or running bases,” Megan Moreno said. “Hopefully that will help us going into next fall season. “