Fastpitch softball cranks up in theMississippi Association of Independent Schools this weekend andBrookhaven Academy’s Lady Cougars make their 2011 debut today atthe Hansel King Sportsplex. Coach Ricky Allen’s team hosts CentralHinds for a doubleheader, starting at 5 p.m.

    “We are looking for an improved season,” said Allen. “Our pitchingand hitting should be stronger.”

    Allen’s squad finished 6-17 last season. They lost only one seniorto graduation in first baseman Anna Katelyn Mangold.

    “We had a team in the summer league at Monticello and that shouldhelp us a lot,” said Allen.

    His five leading hitters return. They are catcher/pitcher NatalieKeene (.583), second baseman Terah Winborne (.483),shortstop/pitcher Laura Beth Wright (.481), rightfielder Anna Smith(.381), and third baseman/pitcher Ali Livingston (.311).

    Allen has been coaching the fastpitch team for eight years. He hasa relatively young squad, featuring five seniors, one junior, twosophomores and five freshmen. The rest of the players are threeeighth graders and four seventh graders.

    BA’s District 5-AA opponents are Adams County Christian School,Columbia Academy and Natchez Trinity.