In his fourth year leading the Bulldogs, head coach Monty Ervin is excited about where his fast-pitch team is as they head into the season.

“We’ve had a  heck of a preseason schedule and the girls are chomping at the bit to get started,” Ervin said.

Last years’ team was knocked out of Regionals after losses to Bethel and Luther. They finished with a 14-12 record and lost just one senior, Baylee Rillema.

But, he has seven seniors this year – Brodie Anderson, Mackenzie Manuel, Kora Parker, Hannah Garrett, Lexie Torres and move-ins Merebelle Neilson and Bailey Lacquement.

“We’ll be good in the circle with the experience from Brodie, and Bailey brings a good arm too. Freshman Emma Garrett will get some time in there too.”

Rounding out the Lexington defense will be freshman Charlie Ross at first base, sophomore Emma Turnpaugh at second, Anderson and Lacquement splitting time at third, Kora Parker at catcher (and some first base), Tia Peery in right field, Torres in center and Neilson in left, both seniors.

“We have good experience for our starting nine, but after that we drop off. Depth is something that we’ll have to continue to develop and grow as the season goes on,” Ervin said.

Despite a somewhat shallow roster, Ervin believes he has a feisty squad that will be battle-tested early.

“If we can stay healthy, we’ll be pretty good. We have good arms in the circle, speed at the top of the lineup and big bats to follow the speed.”

Ervin and his team have spent the last couple of weeks playing tough competition as a warm up for the regular season.

“We know that when the season starts we’ll have to have our offense going. 3A is tough, there are at least 15 teams that could make it to State and we play a bunch of them,” Ervin said.

The Lady ‘Dawgs played both Lindsay and Heritage Hall in their preseason games and they hosted Prague and Bethel this week to kick off the season.

Kiefer, another good 3A team, will be there when Lexington is in the Conners State tournament August 21-23.

“All in all, we’re better in the circle this season and better in the lineup. As long as we can stay healthy, we have a good chance of having a successfull season,” Ervin said.

Lexington will be in Oklahoma City on Saturday at the Hall of Fame Shootout. Monday and Tuesday they are on the road at Holdenville and Henryetta.

Prague

Monday night Lexington hosted Prague to start their season.

Despite outhitting the Red Devils 10-9 and senior Bailey Lacquement striking out 11, the Lady ‘Dawgs lost 5-3.

Prague got on the board with three runs in the first inning. They added one more in the third.

Lexington chipped away with one run in the bottom of the fourth inning. And, they added two more in the sixth when senior Mackenzie Manuel had a two-run home to left.

But, Prague would add one more insurance run in the seventh to seal the win.

Lexington collected 10 hits, including two each from Merabelle Neilson, Brodie Anderson and Manuel.

Lexie Torres, Peyton Harmon, Emma Turnpaugh and Lacquement had one hit apiece.

Lacquement was in the circle for all seven innings. She fanned 11 batters and walked one. She gave up five runs on nine hits.

The Lady ‘Dawgs were scheduled to host Bethel on Tuesday.