Life looks different for Scott County softball without five-year ace Ada Little in the pitching circle, her talents now on the staff at the University of Georgia.

That doesn’t mean it will be any less rewarding. Last season’s 11th Region champions and KHSAA state semifinalists flaunt at least five pitchers, a glut of infielders, and a heart of the order that could be shuffled every which way.

“We’ve got a lot of problems,” SC coach Mike Wagoner joked. “I’ve got to figure out how to get all the people in the lineup.”

The Cardinals gave their coach and fans a first look Friday on a summerlike evening in the first week of March, pounding out an 8-1 exhibition victory over Louisville Mercy.

Freshman shortstop Makenzie Leidecker, also touted as one of the top 10 pitchers nationally in her class, broke it wide open with a three-run blast. She also belted a double.

“She’s one with just no expressions the whole time whether it’s good or bad,” Wagoner said. “I finally got her smiling, rounding third on that home run.”

Leidecker worked two scoreless innings, allowing one hit while striking out two.

Addison Langley and Skylar Mathies combined with Leidecker on a three-hitter. The trio did not allow an earned run.

Wagoner expects Liv Roland, who is working through a wrist injury and played first base against Mercy, and Gracie Strong, who was absent from the scrimmage, to pitch in.

“I think we’re going to have a committee this year,” Wagoner said. “Mak’s young, but she’s capable. I’m sure she can throw seven innings. I don’t know how many times. We’re definitely a different kind of pitching staff this year, obviously, but it’s something I’ve got to get used to.”

Scott County has stacked slap-hitting seniors Aubrey Wigginton (.454 in 2025) and Makiah Jackson (.473) one-two in the lineup.

Wiggington and Jackson, who anchor the defense at third base and in center field, respectively, combined for 36 stolen bases last spring.

Jackson beat out two infield singles against Mercy, including one behind Wigginton’s leadoff walk in the bottom of the first. Hadley Swint walked to load the bases before Kennedy Townsend’s two-out, bases-clearing gap double.

“Put the speed there, then hopefully get some steals and move runners,” Wagoner said. “And then Hadley, she’s a contact hitter.”

The second Jackson hit and another Swint base on balls set the table for Leidecker’s rip to center in the third.

Swint singled and Leidecker doubled, leading to an RBI groundout by Sierra Shryer for the Cardinals’ fifth-inning run.

Wagoner said the scrimmage marked only SC’s third time being outdoors this spring due to the winter’s slow-melting snow and recent rain.

“We’ve had three days a week of practice indoors. A lot of people don’t get that,” Wagoner said. “(Our fieldhouse is) big enough for softball to have an infield. We’ve gotten to hit against live pitching inside. It’s just different when you get out on the dirt.”

Frederick Douglass, which defeated Scott County for the 42nd District title before the Lady Cards’ playoff run a year ago, was No. 1 in a preseason poll of the region’s coaches, one spot ahead of SC.

“That’s OK. I don’t mind being the underdog,” Wagoner said.

SC opens its regular season at home Tuesday, March 17 against Nelson County.