New Lex leaning on experience

NEW LEXINGTON - It was a rough start but a promising finish for New Lexington.

The Panthers went 9-14 but won sectional and district titles en route to a regional semifinal appearance.

Second-year head coach Dave Ratliff has to replace some key pieces. Senior Bailey Davisson will miss the season with an injury, while All-Muskingum Valley League and district honoree Destyn Beard, Allison Dickerson and Britt Danielson graduated.

Junior Bailey Harris, an MVL and Southeast District first teamer, and junior Emily Robinson (SS/3B) highlight the returning letter winners. Seniors Miranda Ward (1B), Rainbow Ratliff (C), Lexi Ellis (OF) and Leah Forson (IF), junior Madyson McNulty (1B) and sophomores Morgan Brown (IF) and Callie Fout (P/Utility) are also back.

Junior Layona Davis (U), from Crooksville, sophomore Chloe Gilligan (OF) and freshmen Kenadee Dillon (OF), Riley Harris (U), Brooke Lehman (U) and Quincee McCord (IF) round out the roster.

Ratliff understands the difficulty of the MVL, but it will prepare his team for the tournament.

"We want to have fun, work hard and play one game at a time," he said. "We need to work on being more fundamentally sound on defense to help our pitchers out. To be a contender, you must be fundamentally sound every game."

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