Softball season has arrived for the Brookhaven Academy Lady Cougars. They make their 2013 fastpitch debut this afternoon, hosting the powerful Lady Pioneers of Parklane Academy. A junior varsity game starts at 4:30, followed by the varsity at 5:30.

     Coach Kaylin Lofton begins her second campaign at the helm of BA softball fortunes. The former Copiah-Lincoln Community College standout is optimistic about the season ahead.

     “We only have one senior on the team so we are kind of young,” said Lofton. “Our girls have been practicing hard for me and I can already tell we are better on defense.”

     Lofton’s team consists of one senior (Allison Barry), five juniors, five sophomores, four freshmen and two eighth graders.

     With 17 players on the squad, Lofton expects most of them to see playing time, either in the varsity or junior varsity games, or both.  

     “A lot of my varsity players will have to play JV,” said Lofton. “That will give them more experience.”

     Pitching and catching are the keys to a fastpitch softball team’s success. Last year the Lady Cougars were 2-4 against District 5-AA opponents.

     This year’s district foes are ACCS out of Natchez, Amite School Center, Central Hinds and Prentiss Christian. Lofton said Central Hinds should be the district favorite “because they have a good pitcher coming back.”

     Pitching for the Lady Cougars are Allison Livingston, Olivia Lofton, Kaylin Jordan and Anna Grace Covington. Jordan and Covington will see primary duty in the JV games.

     Livingston was recognized as the Best Defensive Player on the 2012 team. Maura Dunaway was Most Improved.

     At catcher for BA are Anna Smith, Amanda Rushing and Alex Rai Smith.

     “All I ask of my girls is ‘You give me 110 percent on the field.'”

     Lofton’s assistant coach is David Livingston.

     Parklane Academy, coached by Lincoln County native Steve Sasser is expectd to be extremely strong again. Last year the Lady Pioneers captured the South State AAA title and finished second in the state tourney.

    Brookhaven Academy Roster

     SENIORS: Allyson Barry

     JUNIORS: Anna Smith, Olivia Thornton, Morgan Walker, Taylor Sanford.

     SOPHOMORES: Maura Dunaway, Sara Alyson Wilson, Alex Rai Smith, Jessica Wallace.

     FRESHMEN: Amanda Rushing, Elizabeth Case, Anna Grace Covington, Vanessa Reed.

     EIGHTH GRADERS: Cameron Watson, K.K. Jordan.

    2013 Schedule

     JULY:  26-Parklane, 29-Hillcrest 30-at Bowling Green.

     AUGUST: 1-at Trinity 3-Columbia Tournament 5-Simpson 6-at Hillcrest 8-at Simpson 12-Central Hinds 15-at Victor 19-Trinity 20-at Prentiss Christian 24-Parklane Tournament 26-at ACCS 27-Amite School Center.

     SEPTEMBER: 7-Co-Lin Tournament 9-Prnetiss Christian 10-at Amite School Center 14-BA Tournament 16-ACCS 17-at Central Hinds 17 19-Victor.