Remembering Samantha Ratledge

Samantha Ratledge poses for a portrait for the 2012 All-Missourian girls track team. (Laura Simon)

Samantha Ratledge poses for a portrait for the 2012 All-Missourian girls track team. (Laura Simon)

Kelly softball player Samantha Ratledge poses for a portrait with her stepmother and softball coach Rhonda Ratledge in this 2013 file photo. (Adam Vogler)

Samantha Ratledge poses for a portrait for the 2013 All-Missourian softball team. (Laura Simon)

Kelly's Samantha Ratledge, center, celebrates with her teammates after hitting a three-run homer against Hartville during the second inning of the Class 2 quarterfinal Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012 at Kelly High School. (Fred Lynch)

Samantha Ratledge poses for a portrait for the 2013 All-Missourian softball team. (Laura Simon)

Kelly's Samantha Ratledge bunts for a single against Portageville during the fourth inning of a Kelly softball game Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014, in Benton, Missouri.(Glenn Landberg)

Kelly's Samantha Ratledge slides safely into third base ahead of the throw to Cape Central's Tatiana Reagan during the Hawk's extra-inning win over the Tigers Wednesday, September 12, 2012. (Adam Vogler)

Kelly's Samantha Ratledge hits a three-run homer against Hartville during the second inning of the Class 2 quarterfinal Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012 at Kelly High School. (Fred Lynch)

Kelly's Samantha Ratledge slides into home in the second inning of the Hawks' 11-1, five-inning, run-rule win over the St. Vincent Indians in the Class 2 District 1 Championship game Friday, Oct. 11, 2013, at Kelly High School in Benton, Missouri. (Adam Vogler)

Kelly's Samantha Ratledge follows through her swing after making contact on a pitch during the 2013 MSHSAA Class 2 third place game against the Marionville Comets at Killian Sports Complex on October 25, 2013, in Springfield, Missouri. (David Welker/For the Southeast Missourian)

Samantha Ratledge poses for a portrait for the 2013 All-Missourian boys and girls track team. (Adam Vogler)

Samantha Ratledge poses for a portrait for the 2013 All-Missourian boys and girls track team. (Adam Vogler)

Kelly's Samantha Ratledge competes in the long jump event during the Class 2 District 1 track meet Saturday, May 10, 2014 at Central High School. (Fred Lynch)

Samantha Ratledge poses for a portrait for the 2013 All-Missourian boys and girls track team. (Adam Vogler)

Kelly High School freshman Samantha Ratledge competes in the triple jump during the Class 2 District 1 track meet Saturday, May 5, 2012, at Cape Central High School in Cape Girardeau. (Adam Vogler)

Samantha Ratledge poses for a portrait for the 2012 All-Missourian girls track team. (Laura Simon)

Samantha Ratledge poses for a portrait for the 2013 All-Missourian boys and girls track team. (Adam Vogler)

Samantha Ratledge poses for a portrait for the 2013 All-Missourian boys and girls track team. (Adam Vogler)

Kelly's Samantha Ratledge, left, tries to get a pass around East Prairie's Alex Norwald during the Hawks' game against the Eagles Monday, Dec. 10, 2012, at Kelly High School. (Adam Vogler)

Kelly sophomore Samantha Ratledge makes a lay-up in the second half of the Hawks' 59-36 loss to the Chaffee Red Devils in the first round of the 36th Annual Lady Devils Invitational Tournament Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012 at Chaffee High School. (Adam Vogler)