Mardela softball off to dominant start to season after reaching 1A semifinals last year

Championship banners are far from a strange sight at Mardela softball games, as flags celebrating their numerous Bayside Conference titles and Regional Championships decorate the softball field right behind the batters box.

Last season's Warriors team added two more of those banners, bringing in another Bayside Conference and Regional Championship, while also making it all the way to the Class 1A semifinals. And with plenty of experienced players returning, things don't appear to be slowing down for the Mardela Warriors midway through their season.

The Warriors have gotten off to a dominant start to the season, winning each of their first 11 games in both their usual Bayside competitions, as well as going unbeaten in a softball tournament against teams from across the Bay Bridge earlier this season. And they've done it in dominant fashion, winning multiple games by double digits, while only surrendering four runs overall on the year.

More: Delmarva Shorebirds 2024 Preview: New manager and new talent lead the way for promising season

Mardela coach: 'Expectations are sky high for this team'

For head coach Kory Shiles, the start to the season has been a continuation of their success last year, as they have hit the ground running after making it to last season's Class 1A Final Four.

"Expectations are sky high for this team," Shiles said after their 16-0 win over Snow Hill on Apr. 10. "They know how close we were last year, and we kind of let it slip away. We've got pretty much the same core back, with a few new faces. We're excited about it, obviously 10-0 halfway through the regular season. But we know we can get better as well."

With multiple first team All-Bayside players from last year returning, like Bayside Pitcher of the Year Ava Twilley, alongside Camryn Dorr, Hayden Adkins and Karysn Shockley and even more key returners, it makes sense that the Warriors have gotten off to the undefeated start they've had so far this season.

"Most of our girls have a lot of experience in the travel ranks, they've played a lot of high level ball already," Shiles said. "But, as far as the high school experience, they've kind of been through everything now.

"They've been in the Bayside Championship, Regional Championship, they've gone to states. So, they kind of know what to expect now, they know what teams they need to be able to compete against to win the whole thing. Their eyes are locked in."

More: Bayside Battles: Early matchups to watch in baseball, softball, lacrosse

No-hitters, mighty bats shining already in Mardela softball season

Not only do the big wins show just how locked in this team is, but also the incredible individual performances in those wins, with pitchers going for no-hitters and perfect games, while the batters take care of business and put runs on the board time and time again. But the players know that the games will get tougher as the season goes along, with the competition getting stiffer as they get closer to potentially replicating their Bayside and Regional success from last year, while also reaching for a state title.

"I think it's been a very interesting season," Twilley said after the Snow Hill game. "We've had a lot of heavy wins, getting a lot of runs on the board. And it's been very confidence boasting, but we have tougher games coming up, and I'm excited to see how those play out and we adjust to that."

One advantage they've had early this season was playing in a tournament at Northeast High School, where they played and defeated both Northeast's and Northern's softball teams, with the win over Northern being a 4-0 victory, while they had to mount a comeback against Northeast to walk away with the 5-2 win. For Dorr, the opportunity to play those games offered some variety and a competition level different from their usual Bayside competitors, while also giving them confidence for games down the line where they will likely have to face really talented teams from across the Bay Bridge.

"It definitely felt good because over here, we get to see good teams, but not as good as much," Dorr said. "When we were over there we got to see real competition, real state champions, and showed what we can do."

And when it comes to goals for closing out the season, keeping the win train rolling remains primary, while also showing their opponents just what Mardela softball is all about.

Shorebirds celebrate home opener: Delmarva Shorebirds celebrate opening night at Perdue Stadium: PHOTOS

"Keep winning, and keep showing up for our competition, not just the great teams but every team we play. Hit more, field more and score more," Dorr said.

"I agree with that, keep winning, show them what we've got and show them who Mardela is," Twilley said.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Mardela softball off to a dominant and unbeaten start to the season