LEWISTON — After mustering just one win last season, the Lewiston softball team was hoping for some progress this spring.

First-year coach Mike Child described the team’s original approach to the season as “taking baby steps.”

The Blue Devils have been taking giant leaps, instead.

At 6-2, Lewiston has already eclipsed its win total from the past three years combined, a stretch that included a 1-15 campaign a year ago.

This year, the team already owns wins over perennial playoff stalwarts Oxford Hills and Edward Little.

“I did not expect all this at one time,” said Child, who is the team’s fourth coach  in the past six years. “We set some goals. We set some goals to win more than one game, and they did it. They set the goal to beat EL, their rivals, and they did it. Now they want to set a goal to make the playoffs.”

Lewiston hasn’t been in the tournament since 2011, under coach Fred Royer. As of Sunday, the Blue Devils sat third in the A North standings, a far cry from the bottom of the ladder.

“I feel like last year made us not want to do what we did last year again,” sophomore pitcher Megan Theriault said. “So we got a lot of energy from last year.”

Lewiston opened the season with a win over Lawrence, but then lost to Bangor, currently ranked fourth. The Blue Devils then edged Oxford Hills before losing to Mt. Ararat, 6-2. Since then, Lewiston has won four straight and outscored opponents 45-8, including a 5-3 win over previously unbeaten Edward Little on Thursday, and a come-from-behind win Friday at Mt. Blue.

“The expectations are higher now because we just beat EL,” sophomore third baseman Jordan Mynahan said. “They’re the team to beat now because of their record.”

The Blue Devils have been a consistently youthful team in recent seasons, and were plagued by mistakes inexperienced teams make. They appeared to be on the cusp of challenging the top teams, but often fell short.

“We’re still young,” said Child, whose team has no seniors, but nine players back from a year ago. “We still have sophomores and freshmen and a couple of juniors. The girls have just picked up everything we wanted them to do. They’re doing everything fantastic.”

Child wanted the team to play hard and have fun.

“Coming into the year, I didn’t think we’d do that well considering last year, but we’re doing pretty well now.” Mynahan said.

Theriault is also pleasantly surprised by the results so far. She says the team has had a positive atmosphere and that has made a significant difference. The growing pains are being replaced by confident steps forward.

“I thought we were going to win more than one game but I didn’t really think we’d do as well as we’re doing right now,” Theriault said.

Assistant coach Meagan Marcoux was with the team last season and worked with Erica Crowley, who resigned last year and is now coaching with Oak Hill. The improvement this season is no shock to Marcoux, whose ties to the program go back to her playing days as a Blue Devil.

“We just had to put everything together, hitting, fielding.” Marcoux said.” They have the mentality to win. They just had to put it together, and they have.”

Marcoux said the players returned this season more determined than ever. The pieces were bound to start falling into place.

“I think they’ve all gone into the season with a different frame of mind,” Marcoux said. “They all wanted it more. They knew they’re capable of getting it and they’ve done everything they can to do it.”

The Blue Devils are showing more poise and composure on the field. The mistakes are still there at times, but the Blue Devils are dealing with that adversity better.

“One thing they’re doing this year is that the confidence they have,” Marcoux said. “It wasn’t there that much before this. They’re playing with confidence this year and that’s huge. They’re not doubting themselves and they’re making it happen.”

That coveted playoff spot, the team’s latest goal, may now be in their own hands. A strong finish will help made that happen, but the team’s schedule is tough. The Blue Devils have rematches with Oxford Hills and Edward Little. They also face unbeaten Messalonskee, Brewer and Skowhegan, all likely tourney teams and strong programs.

“In the beginning, our goal was to make the playoffs,” Mynahan said. “Now we might have a spot in there.”

kmills@sunjournal.com