DEMOPOLIS

&045; This softball season will be a continuous up hill climb for the Demopolis Lady Tigers. They will play probably one of the toughest schedules in 5A.

Demopolis opens the season at 6A Tuscaloosa County on next Thursday, followed by the Hillcrest Tournament, an all day round robin tourney on February 24th. The Lady Tigers put Hillcrest out of its own tournament last year. They then make a visit to Northridge on the 27th before the home opener against Wilcox Central on March 1st.

The Lady Tigers, who finished last season with a 32-21 record, advanced from the sub-state last season to the elite eight, by beating Beauregard in two games. They faltered in the first round, losing to No. 3, East Limestone, but beat No. 10, Corner before falling to No. 2, Bibb County, whom they had beaten earlier in the season.

The Lady Tigers lost just four seniors from last year’s squad, all played on the infield, including the catchers position. Courtney Willingham and Stewart Grose, outfielders with experience, are the only seniors.

As was done last year, there will be some girls that will step up this season. The upside of it all is that Coach Browder will have two returning pitchers. They are both juniors, Brandy McGee and Sara Davis.

The talented McGee and Davis will lead the offensive attack as well for Demopolis. The Lady Tigers will also use the speed they have to its advantage on the base paths.

Morgan Patterson will handle the catching duties. Corey Grose will be the new first baseman and Raven Simmons will step in at second. The left side of the infield will be handled on rotation basis.

Accountability, attitude, and hustle are mainstays among the team on and off the field.

Demopolis will be the team to beat in area play. Dallas County, Greenville, and Wilcox Central, who will be starting a new program with a new coach, will round out the area. Greenville will be a formidable area foe for the Lady Tigers.