Allyson O’dell is far from a stranger to the Charleston High School softball program.

A middle infielder who graduated from Charleston in 2017, O’Dell made the transition to college softball, first at Olney Central College, and then at Transylvania University where she had a batting average of .337 across two seasons.

After returning to Charleston in 2022, O’Dell became an assistant coach under Blain Mayhall until last season when Mayhall retired to become an administrator.

“I decided I still loved [softball after college], so I came back and continued coaching with him until he was no longer coach,” O’Dell said.

Mayhall had a career record of 257-92 across 11 seasons at Charleston.

Now, it’s O’Dell’s turn to try and fill his shoes in her first season as head coach of the program.

“I got to learn from coach Mayhall who was the absolute best,” O’Dell said. “So I’m very blessed for that.”

The Trojans hope to duplicate some of their success under Mayhall in the next era.

Charleston made a run to the state semifinals two seasons ago, won a regional championship in five of the last six seasons and made a sectional finals appearance three times since 2018.

The Trojans have at least one playoff victory in every season since the postseason was split into four classes in 2008, excluding the 2020 season that was cancelled by the COVID-19 pandemic.

O’Dell says the key for her as the head coach to continuing the program’s success is to have the player’s back and be a person that they want to work hard for, something she says Mayhall did for her as a player.

“I think the most important thing is building a relationship with the girls so that they trust you and respect you,” O’Dell said. “I think as long as I can kind of model that for the girls, I think we’ll get pretty far.”

The Trojans, who went 21-9 and 7-3 in the Apollo Conference finishing in third place, won their regional last year before losing in the sectional semifinals to Glenwood.

Charleston returns 11 players from last season’s team but will be without senior Brie Tomlinson who injured her knee during the basketball season.

Losing her bat for the season is a blow to the Trojans’ offense. However, O’Dell says she’s excited to see freshman Lainie Keefer step up into that role and welcomes back senior Riley Schrader to the outfield and senior Blair Ritchey, who is committed to play softball at Lake Land College.

Junior Avery Beals is a solid on-base option, according to O’Dell, and will play wherever is needed.

Sophomore Riley Lewis is progressing well, and O’Dell said she wouldn’t be surprised if she had a breakout season.

“Her fielding has really progressed since last year, and her bat is really coming around as well,” O’Dell said.

In the circle, the Trojans have three sophomore pitchers: Reece Good, Raylyn Cox, and Ella Price. All three will massively contribute to the team, O’Dell said.

The Trojans open the season on March 22, and have their home-opener set for March 25.

Charleston’s Apollo Conference opener, a doubleheader against Mattoon, is set for April 5.

Gabe Newman can be reached at 581-2812 or at ghnewman@eiu.edu.