The last time the Lady Buccs walked off the softball diamond was in the District Finals at Wayne High School. Triad handed a young Covington team 12-0 defeat on its way to a state runner-up trophy.

It was an embarrassing defeat at the time, but one that educated the returning players on the level of play it takes to accomplish the ultimate goal.

Covington returns much of the roster from the team a year ago that finished the season at 17-6 overall and 9-2 in the Cross County Conference. The Lady Buccs only lose two players to graduation in Rachel Boggs and Brittany Meredith.

Key returning players include Jennifer Lowry, Erin Christian, Kylie Lavey, Jessica Strout, Kristen Boggs, Jessica Snipes, Michelle Barhorst, Sarah Ciriegio, Michelle Leistner and Katie Dickey. Also, out of the 14 players on the varsity roster, only four are seniors - Barhorst, Ciriegio, Lavy and Jesie Jennings.

With the talent and experience on the roster, head coach Lynette Roeth and the Lady Buccs have the firepower to challenge the top programs in the CCC.

Newton, Arcanum and Bradford are traditional conference powers and will likely be near the top of the standings once again.

The schedule will test the Lady Buccs early as they play Fort Loramie, Graham, Triad and Versailles in four straight days. Three of those games are on the road as only Graham comes to town.

After a short breather things don't get any easier the following week as the Lady Buccs host Anna, Miami East and play a double header against Russia.

Then its three straight road games in a span of four days against National Trail, New Bremen and Tri-County North, followed by game against Twin Valley South and a double header against West Liberty Salem on back-to-back days.

The Lady Buccs then face six straight conference opponents, beginning with Arcanum and Bradford.

Franklin Monroe and Mississinawa follows before a showdown with Newton on April 26th and a road trip to Tri-Village the following night.

No rest for the weary as Covington travels to Vandalia on April 28th for a double header, before closing out the regular season schedule against Ansonia, Bethel and Fairlawn.

As always, the schedule is brutal but should prepare the Lady Buccs for the tournament and hopefully another crack at getting out of the regional.