Two of the better softball teams in the state were in Ragland Monday. Two top-ranked teams battled each other as Class 1A number-one Ragland hosted Class 3A’s best, White Plains.

When the smoke had cleared, it was White Plains coming out on top 8-2.

Ragland coach Jonathan Nix takes the loss in stride, saying his team is on a mission.

“We are 10-4 on the season,” Nix said. “We have lost two games to White Plains, and two games to Cherokee County, and they are ranked number three in Class 4A.”

Nix said his team is on a learning curve after losing Madison Oliver to an ACL injury (Oliver will have surgery next week), and Emily Church, who was injured in December during basketball season. Church is expected to be back within one to three weeks, when she received doctor’s clearance.

“We have six people at new positions right now,” Nix said. “We’re just looking at as getting young girls opportunities for game experience. We want to get everyone to gel together as a team.”

Nix said the team’s number one goal is to play the tough competition like White Plains and Cherokee County.

Trailing White Plains 6-0 in the sixth inning Monday, Ragland loaded the bases and pushed across two runs on a fielder’s choice by JJ Looney and a single by Kailey Echols.

Sommar Wright took the loss. She also had a hit, while Kassidy St. John was 2-for-3.

“Playing the tougher competition will push us,” he said. “It will help us see where we need to grow as a team. When we get to the regional tournament, we will not face 3A and 4A competition — just 1A competition.

“We are looking forward to May and the chance of going to Montgomery and defend our state title at Lagoon Park.”

Contact Gary Hanner at ghanner@thestclairtimes.com.