Back for his second stint as the leader of the Harlan High School softball program, Scott Lewis is truly starting over.
Lewis inherits a program that had steadily improved over four seasons under David Overbay, assistant coach Scott Lisenbee and last year’s strong senior class. The Lady Dragons finished 5-22 in 2022 in Overbay’s first season after a 1-16 mark in 2021. The Lady Dragons improved to 6-21 in 2023 and made it to the regional tournament as the district runner up. Harlan won back to back district titles in 2024 and 2025, with a record of 14-19 in 2024 followed by an 18-9 mark last season. The Lady Dragons hadn’t won a district championship before last year since 2004. Their win over Knox Central in the first round of the regional tournament was reportedly the first in program history.
The Lady Dragons lose six starters to graduation in catcher Addison Jackson, third baseman Ella Lisenbee, shortstop Ella Farley, first baseman Abbi Fields and outfielders Ava Nunez and Ally Kirby. Lisenbee, Jackson, Farley and Fields signed to continue their softball careers in college. Freshman pitcher/infiellder Jordyn Smith moved to Harlan County.
“We’re small in numbers, so they will get a lot of playing time,” Lewis said. “We have very little experience in high school softball. This will be a big learning experience for all of them.
Adelynn Lewis, who is Lewis’ granddaughter and the daughter of assistant coach Courtney Lewis, will take over as the Lady Dragons’ pitcher after two standout seasons on the middle school level. She pitched well in limited varsity action last year with a 3.57 earned run average over 15 2/3 innings in three appearances. She struck out 19 and allowed 16 hits.
“High school will be a big advancement for her. She will see players with a lot more experience and power than she’s used to,” Lewis said. “I just hope to see us gain confidence, especially batting against high school pitchers. We’ll try to do our best, but we are very young.”
Junior outfielder Gracie Hensley and sophomore infielder Addison Campbell are the only players back with extensive varsity experience on a roster with no seniors.
“Gracie and Addison will provide our leadership. They bring high school level experience we don’t have,” Lewis said.
Hensley, who plays left field, hit .211 last season with 16 hits, 18 runs and 12 RBI along with nine stolen bases in nine attempts.
“Gracie is 100 percent all the time. She brings life to the team,” Lewis said.
Campbell hit .174 with 12 hits, 11 runs and seven RBI and will move from second base to third base to replace Lisenbee.
“Addison is tough and hard-nosed. She’s not afraid over there because it’s a hot spot at third,” Lewis said. “She played third some for me in middle school, so she can play there.”
Shaedyn Crow and Addyson Patton, both freshmen, are candidates to take over at catcher after four years of Jackson as the starter.
“Shaedyn has been our catcher in middle school and is used to working with Adelynn. She brings a lot of experience to it and is a solid player and hitter,” Lewis said. “Addyson is a power hitter with a great arm. She played center in middle school and could also play there. She is quick as lightning.”
Lewis will be counting on speed and defense from his freshman keystone combination with shortstop Taylor Glenn and second baseman Daria Lee likely filling the top two spots in the lineup. Both could also see action as pitchers.
“Taylor is a solid shortstop and very quick on the bases. She ran some for the high school team at the end of the year,” Lewis said. “Daria is solid defensively and will make contact. If we can get Taylor on, I think Daria will be able to move her over.”
Lewis plans to alternate freshmen Chrissy Saylor and Harmonee Mills at first base.
“Both of them are solid defensively, “ Lewis said. “I’m trying to get both of them some reps at the position and see how they progress as hitters.”
Arianna Raleigh, a freshman, could start in center with Patton and Saylor also in the mix.
“She has really worked to get better and has improved quite a bit the last couple of years,” Lewis said.
Jordyn Shackleford, a freshman, and Lacey Lemarr, a sophomore, are vying for the starting job in right field. Lemarr is also the most likely to see action in the circle when Lewis isn’t pitching.
“Lacey has really improved and put a lot of work in,” Lewis said. “Jordyn is a utility player who can play all over the field. She can fit in anywhere.”
Lewis, who has 25 years of coaching experience at several levels and with both softball and baseball, was the head coach of the Lady Dragons for five seasons from 2012 to 2016 with a record of 58-72. His staff will include Courtney Lewis and his son, Noah, a former Harlan catcher.
“We’re going to focus on fundamentals, and we need nine good ball players,” Lewis said. “Only three or four won’t do us any good. We need nine players who have good fundamental skills and want to learn the game. They will have to step up to the level of competition we’ll face.”