Things have been pretty good for the Sherwood High School softball team to start the season, but first-year head coach Kris Moore is less concerned about what’s been, and more focused on what will be as the conference season approaches.

“We have had good success with game results so far,” Moore said, “but we have a lot of work to still do to get our team to a championship level.”

The Bowmen are 10-1 in their first 10 games, with their only loss coming April 9 at the hands of the Sunset Apollos. And while the team didn’t take the defeat well, Moore said they handled it in a way that will only help them going forward.

“(Sunset) was a tough one for the girls, but through the teary eyes I saw fire and determination,” the coach said. “Our team philosophy is that games are won and lost on defense, and (against Sunset) we didn’t execute at the high level we are accustomed to.”

Moore also said that to this point the team hadn’t played any “big games” and had yet to been forced to perform with their feet to the fire. They got a little of that against Sunset, and he thought that was and will certainly be beneficial.

“(Against Sunset) was the first time the team had been down early, but they stayed positive and came back to take the lead,” he said. “Having more games like that will help us get to the next level.”

Ask Moore about his team leaders and he’ll tell you he’s got 18 of them, but then he’ll point to his captains, seniors Camryn Knight and McKenna Parmalee, along with junior Hollie Maughan. Yet, in addition to the aforementioned standouts, he’ll point to returning starters Destiny Cornwell; Maisy Schindler; Jordyn Henderson; Daisha Cornwell; and Lili Silva.

Destiny Cornwell is the team’s starting pitcher, and with help from freshman Presley Sarono-Ramos, has created a formidable component in the circle.

The two hurlers have combined to allow just 25 runs over the team’s first 11 games, second only to Roseburg in the state’s 6A classification.

Destiny is a known commodity having played a big role in the team’s success over the past two seasons, and having accrued a 1.59 ERA over her first 22 innings this season. But Sarono-Ramos has been a bit of a surprise — at least to outsiders.

“Presley (Saronos-Ramos) has been dominant with both pitching and hitting so far,” Moore said. “Between Presley and Destiny, they are two equal pitchers with the same confidence and the ability to win the big game.”

The coach also mentioned sophomore third baseman Kaya Stevenson as a newcomer that’s been a rock in the field at the “hot corner.”

And defense is where Moore believes his team’s bread is buttered.

“We are a well rounded team, but defense is the cornerstone of our team,” he said.

Last season, Sherwood bowed out of the state playoffs in the quarterfinals, and the year prior made it to the semis. Because of those near misses, Moore said his team is even hungrier to take an even bigger bite of the championship apple.

“Hungry is an understatement,” the coach said. “They are ravenous. The upperclassmen have tasted success the past couple of seasons but they want more.”

And Moore wants it for them.

In just his first year at the reins, he’s having a blast with this group of Sherwood players, and said it’s been nothing short of a joy to steward a team that has big dreams and is willing to work towards them.

“I have loved every second of coaching this season, and have been fortunate enough to have a coaching staff on both the JV and varsity level that shares the same passion and coaching philosophy,” he said. “The work ethic of the players makes it so rewarding to coach. They always want to find ways to improve their skills and understanding of the game.”

What does that mean going forward? That’s yet to be determined. But he said as long as they’re having fun and playing together, the sky’s the limit.

“Our primary goal is to have fun and build lasting memories and relationships, but our long term goal is to compete for a state championship,” Moore said. “I believe we have all the pieces necessary to win it all if we continue to stay focused and have a team-first mentality all season.”