Since taking the helm six years ago, Callie Peoples has racked up more than 100 wins and consistently put Platte County in position for postseason success. Her biggest challenge thus far might await this season.
Platte County brings back only two starters — junior pitcher Dani Salisbury and sophomore shortstop Bryli Seifert — after the loss of a five graduated seniors and two underclassmen not returning to the roster. Only a handful of other players have any varsity experience, while a pair of first-year contributors have an opportunity to make an immediate impact.
In six full seasons under Peoples, Platte County posted a winning record five times, made the playoffs and finished third in Class 4 in both 2020 and 2021 and lost in the Class 4 District 8 title game to Kearney each of the past two seasons. This marks the first large-scale rebuild, but there’s no desire to settle for a step back.
“We are going to have a lot of new faces on varsity this year,” Peoples said. “A huge key to success is accountability. We have talked a lot about holding ourselves and our teammates accountable. Everyone must play and accept their roles and do their jobs for the team to be successful.”
Salisbury and Seifert provide two solid blocks to build around after finishing 19-8 last season overall and 6-2 in Suburban Conference White Division play. Both losses were to Grain Valley.
Entering a third season as the main pitching option, Salisbury earned All-Class 4 Region 4 honors after finishing with a 13-5 record, working 127 innings and striking out 80 while walking 30. She also played first base at times and developed into a threat in the middle of the order, posting a .414 batting overage with a .512 on-base percentage, totaling three doubles, two home runs and 20 RBIs.
Seifert’s standout freshman season ended with all-state honors on the infield.
Hitting her stride down the stretch, Seifert posted a team-best .548 batting average and slugged .973 thanks to 10 doubles, three triples and a team-high five home runs. She also drove in 32 and scored 32 runs, also top for the Pirates, while striking out only four times and stealing six bases.
Seifert also pitched at times last season before an arm injury kept her out of the circle in the second half of the season.
Beyond the two returning starters, Platte County must work to replace graduated seniors Emma Reed (third base), Avery Webster (second base after three years in the outfield), Morgan Shields (catcher), Kallie Hitzelberger (right field) and Anna Crowell (center field). The Pirates have senior Haley Schank, junior Marlee Snyder-Richardson and sophomore Reagan Ball back on the varsity roster.
A four-year contributor, Schank seeks a spot in the outfield after appearing in nine games as a junior and finishing with five walks and six runs scored. Snyder-Richardson played in two games and has utility ability but most likely ends up spending time at second and third base.
Ball pitched in five games as a freshman with three starts. She posted a 3-0 record with a 1.82 ERA and 13 strikeouts and 10 walks in 15 1/3 innings. She will likely help spot Salisbury in some matchups and could also play some first base.
Platte County likely needs strong initial contributions from sophomore outfielder Kelly Bullano and freshman Kinleigh Howren to help fill in around the returners.
Out while recovering from a knee injury as a freshman, Bullano went on to have a standout track and field season in javelin and should start in the outfield. Howren’s specific role remains to be determined but will likely be at an infield spot around Seifert.
The biggest question mark is at catcher with junior Gwen Duncan and sophomore Lila Sedlacek both likely to receive looks while competing for the spot.
“I am happy and impressed by the energy and enthusiasm this group has brought during the first week of the season,” Peoples said. “They are excited to compete and work hard.”
Platte County might have to endure a tough early stretch in the schedule and develop around their stars. Salisbury’s ability to limit opposing offenses and increase strikeout totals with so many untested bats in the initial lineup.
