Credit to Taylor Griffin

Lexi Lohnes takes a swing at a ball during a game against Fort Zumwalt East.

Lexi Lohnes is a current junior at Francis Howell North. Lohnes has been a varsity starter all three years she has been in the program. Now being an upperclassman, she has taken on more of a leadership role due to many years of practice. Lohnes started playing at just 6 years old. Starting at such a young age and sticking with the same sport while growing up paid off for Lohnes as she made varsity her freshman year of high school. Varsity softball coach Mike Freedline recognized her talent even before she was in high school.

“I already knew about her before she came here because her older sister Kaylee played, so she’d always be at the games. We knew how awesome she was going to be already,” Freedline said.

Lohnes’ natural ability on the field wasn’t the only thing that stood out about her to coaches. It was her drive to want to be better as well.

“It’s the way she prepares and everything,” Freedline said. “She plays for a high level club team, and so she practices at 100%, she’s always ready…and what is great about her, is as good as she is, she doesn’t act like it, and she leads by example. Pumping her teammates up and also trying to get everybody up to a high level.”

“I wanted to be one of the best, so I think just me putting my head down made me get to where I am now,” Lohnes said. “It was really surreal knowing what they do for college and now I’m able to be a part of it too.”

Lohnes received between 10 to 15 offers and had more official visits to come. Lohnes visited University of Kentucky and University of Nebraska, and recently had a visit to Mississippi State. Going into her recruitment process, Lohnes had an idea where she wanted to go to school but ultimately committed to Mississippi State.

“The southern hospitality just really sold me in. Automatically, when I stepped on campus, it just felt like home and the coaching staff, the players, they’re just very welcoming and they like to have fun. I just think softball is more than a game so you want to enjoy yourself while you’re there” Lohnes said.

Being a junior, Lohnes only has one more season left at FHN. She has left a lasting impact on the program.

“She’s probably gonna leave here holding on to almost every single record there is. She is the best player we’ve ever had, so I wish it was more than one year she had left,” Freedline said.