by Bart Moss for the FCT

Belgreen Softball (1A)

Chris Scott will be in his first year as the head coach of the Belgreen Bulldog softball team.  Scott inherits a squad that returns eight seniors that finished 28-12 last season and earned a regional semi-final appearance.

“We are very optimistic and excited about this season,” said Scott.

One of the reasons for the optimism is the return of senior pitcher Laken Bragwell who started every game last season and Junior centerfielder Allyson Bragwell who batted .351.  The Bulldogs also return Courtney Williams, Shellie Barber, Kylie Murray, Bailey Clark, Camie Terrell, Anna Humphries and Skyler Nelson.

“So far these girls have done everything we’ve asked of them,” said Scott. “We have a lot of experienced ball players and that should help us make another deep run in the playoffs.

“We have a lot of young talent and that has generated excitement in our program.  We had thirty kids come out this year.  That means we will get to field a varsity and junior varsity program this year.  I’m excited to get started.”

Phil Campbell (2A)

The Phil Campbell Bobcat softball team returns a lot of youth but a lot of experience as well.  The Bobcats have finished runner up in the Franklin County tournament the past three seasons.  They hope their experience, speed and their middle infield will put them over the top this season.

“I think we will be successful this season,” said Doug Jackson, the Bobcats fifth year coach.  “We are a young team but we have a lot of talent.  This year’s goal is to improve each time we play.  As long as we can do that we can be successful.”

The Bobcats return their starting pitcher this season in senior Cassidy Karr.

“Cassidy has worked hard and it has paid off,” said Jackson. “She is much more consistent hitting her spots.”

In the field the Bobcats return freshman shortstop Leeah Jackson, Brooke Baker at second base, third baseman Alania Jones and first baseman Karley Ergle.  In the outfield, the Bobcats will have Courtney Baker in the centerfield, Chole Roberson in left field and Kaylie Ayers in right field.

“With Leeah’s speed, she will be great at stopping balls that are hit in the gaps,” said Jackson.  “She is our returning leadoff hitter.  With her consistency and speed, we expect her to be successful.”

Red Bay (2A)

Steve Cox has been the head coach or the Red Bay Tigers softball team for four seasons and one thing Cox knows is change.

“Our area has changed for the fourth time,” said Cox, as the Tigers will compete with Cherokee and Mars Hill for the area title this year.  “This is going to be a positive year for us.  We have more pitching than we have had in the past three years. Our hitting is improving.  I expect us to go out and play to the best of our ability and compete for the county and area titles.”

Cox said his team lost only two players to graduation last year.  This year’s team will comprise of two seniors, three juniors and six sophomores.  Cox says he is really looking forward to watching his junior high program grow with some talented players coming up.  He is very appreciative of Ed Garcia and Jason Tiffin who will be helping the junior high team compete this season.

Russellville Softball (5A)

John Smith will be in his second year at the helm of the Russellville Golden Tiger softball program.  Smith has a career record of 300-180 and four 2A state championships at Hatton High School.  His Golden Tiger team went 11-34 last year as Smith worked to rebuild the program.

Some of the Golden Tigers’ key returning players are freshman second baseman Sydney Burcham , the team’s top hitter from 2014 (.400 batting average and two home runs); Sophomore shortstop Kalli Beth Daniel (.380 batting average);  Sophmore outfielder Kayla Cochran (.370 batting average, 10 doubles, 20 stolen bases); Junior catcher Megan Brockway (.350 batting average).

Russellville also returns three-year starting outfielders Lexi Lamon and Amber Howard.  Junior Brooke Borden is a utility player who started in five different positions for the Golden Tigers last year.

“We are still young but we have a lot of returning experience,” said Smith.  “The girls have worked hard in the offseason playing travel ball, attending camps and workouts.  We have a solid core group of players that will help us win games.”

Tharptown Wildcats (2A)

This will be Tanna Benford’s first full season of coaching the Tharptown Wildcat softball team as they make the jump to 2A competition.  The Wildcats return a wealth of talent from a team that finished 26-19 last season and reached the semi-finals of the 1A regionals.  Some of the key returners for Tharptown include Shelby Palmer, Savannah Hamilton (recently signed a softball scholarship with Calhoun Community College), Kaitlyn Vandiver, Kaylee Bain, Autumn Sutter, and Haley Malone.

“We have lot of talent and experience returning from last year, including eight starters,” said Benford. “That will be key as we jump into much tougher competition at the 2A level.

“Hatton has a lot of history and tradition in softball,” said Benford of one her key area opponents. “They won state several years in a row and won our tournament last year.  Phil Campbell is pretty young but really talented.  We will have a tough area but with our ability, if we have the right mindset, we can play with and beat anybody.”

Vina Red Devils (1A)

Justin Humphres will be taking over the Vina Red Devil softball program this year. The Red Devils return several players including two seniors, Hannah Bagget and Skylar Smith.  Vina also returns starting pitcher Erica Cantrell.  The Red Devil roster will also include two ninth graders and two seventh graders.

“We have a very young team,” said Humphres, “Our goal is to get better every day.  If we do that I think we will be competitive by the end of the season.”

The Red Devils are in an area with Belgreen, Covenant Christian and Waterloo.