The Lexington fast-pitch softball team is a young bunch this season. The Lady ‘Dawgs lost nine seniors from last year’s 17-6 squad that finished the season at the Class 3A state tournament.
Lexington lost to Washington, 5-1, in the quarterfinals but the Lady ‘Dawgs ended the campaign winning 14 of their last 17 games following a sluggish start.
This year should be another interesting season for Lexington as head coach Kayla Stewart begins her sixth season at the helm of the Lady ‘Dawgs.
Lex began its season on Monday at home with the Lexington Festival.
“It’s a fresh new start after graduating nine seniors and seven starters,” Stewart said. “We’re still in the process of trying to figure out where people are going to play. I’m glad that we are having the festival so that we can figure some stuff out.”
Gone from last year’s state tournament squad are Lauren Beason, Amanda Graddy, Hannah Robbins, Kenzie Lawson, Lindsey Barber, Emilee Jenks, Kaylee Fink, Anna Sample, and Morgan Clark.
“We made the State tournament last year for the first time since 2006,” Stewart said. “Hopefully, we can carry that momentum over to this season. Again, though, we are young and we lost a lot of experienced players from last year.”
The top returner from last year is catcher Madeline Pack. Her leadership behind the plate and her prowess as a slugger will be most valuable to the Lady ‘Dawgs.
“Madeline is the only consistent starter that we are bringing back this year,” Stewart said. “Ryli (Harmon) got some playing time for us last year. Cora (Vazquez) also got some playing time. Both of them went down with injuries, though. They’re anxious to get back at it.
“Jaci Idlett got some good playing time for us. Abby Turnpaugh has gotten hurt the last two years but we have her going now and we’re going to see what she has to bring in the circle. It’s going to be “pitch-by-committee” I’m sure.
“We might have to mix some things up but we’re looking forward to getting the season going.”
Lexington head baseball coach Jarod Ennis has offered his talents as Stewart’s assistant coach.
Among the five seniors on this year’s team are Pack, Idlett, Harley Salisbury, Sierra Petit, and Chloe Burk.
The juniors include Turnpaugh, Harmon, Promise Houck, and Madalyn Dunn.
The sophomores include Vazquez, Leslie Barber, Izzy Pack, Nakyia Timmons, Elexa Collins, and Maddison Manuel.
The freshman Lady ‘Dawgs include Landri Bean, Marisa Northrup, Cilee Turner, Morgan Cline, Jordan Hardy, Jadyn Patrick, Abi Clifton, Kiely Givens, Molly Bales, and Abby Sample.
In addition to breaking in a new team this year, Stewart also has to work around the Covid-19 virus, which shut down all Oklahoma schools in March and robbed last year’s seniors of their year-end festivities and glory.
“We’re just doing our part in trying to combat it. We’re taking everybody’s temperature every day. We trying not to get in big groups – spacing ourselves out the best we can. It’s hard whenever you’re in the dugout.
“The OSSAA has left it to the schools to decide what they want to do with the crowds and fans. As far as I know, we haven’t made a call on that, one way or the other. As far as I know, I’ve asked a bunch of questions and I think we are doing things the correct way. We’ll find out for sure in time.”
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