Experienced veteran leadership will be thestrength for the Bogue Chitto Lady Bobcats as they kick off theirslowpitch softball season Aug. 13 at the McComb Tournament.

    The Lady Cats will have some tough shoes to fill as they enter theseason as the defending slowpitch State 1A champion.

    Bogue Chitto lost four graduating seniors who played a huge role inlast year’s Lady Cats gold rush – shortstop Josie Porter, secondbaseman Bradi Davis, outfielder Darcy Miller and outfielder ToySmith. Porter, Miller and Davis have signed softball scholarshipsto play for the Co-Lin Lady Wolves.

    The Lady Cats will have two seniors contributing leadership in thisyear’s squad with Kaylie Crosby and Heather Miller.

    “We have six veteran players back with playoff and statechampionship experience,” said Bogue Chitto head coach ScottLeggett. “We also have several young players on the team who havegreat potential and speed.”

    Leggett, 36, will be starting his ninth season at the Bogue Chittohelm. The Lady Bobcats hope to make a return trip to Jackson asthey rebuild and improve on a 26-7 record last year. Bogue Chittofinished with a 2-0 record in district play.

    The Lady Bobcats have six returning starters to help in the field:Crosby at right field, Adrienne at left-center field, Rheagan Welchat third base, Kerri McGehee at pitcher, Mattie Avants at leftfield and Alexis Givens at first base.

    “I hope to have a good year,” continued Leggett. “We have some biggaps to fill since losing those longtime players, but our girls aredoing a great job by working hard to fill that void.”

    Adrienne Wallace is one of the starters that led the team in 2009with a .410 batting average. Avants batted .367; Welch, .350;McGehee, .333; Alexis Givens, .293; and Crosby, .220.

    Bogue Chitto assistant coaches are Denise Leggett and Jody Britt.The squad has 22 players.

    The Lady Bobcats’ first home game will be against the BrookhavenLady Panthers on Aug. 15. The junior varsity game will precedes thevarsity game.