Competitiveness, passion and hard work will be the team strengths as the Lawrence County Lady Cougars kick off their season in slowpitch softball, which began Saturday when they hosted a Fall Classic Jamboree tournament.

The Lady Cougars will participate in another Fall Classic Scrimmage next Saturday as they travel to Puckett to play in their tournament.

LCHS has only three returning starters back for the 2015 season – pitcher Barri Rogers, left center fielder Callie Fortenberry and left fielder Maddux Kirkland to provide leadership to an extremely young squad.

The Lady Cougars lost six starting seniors to graduation last year – second baseman Madison Hyde, third baseman Jamie Martin, catcher Cheyenne Long, left center fielder Lexie Johnson, first baseman Tiera Collins and left fielder Cierra Horton. Lawrence County also lost upcoming senior shortstop Alexsundria Thomas, who transferred to Terry.

“This season will be a true test to see what our players are made of,” said LCHS coach Meleah Howard. “We will have seven starters on the field this year, so it will be interesting to see who will step up. I really enjoy coaching this group of girls because they all have passion for the game and they love to win.”

Howard will be starting her fourth season at the helm. The Lady Cougars look to improve on last season’s 20-6 record. Lawrence County posted a 3-1 record in district action.

The Cougars have three seniors – Barri Rogers, Jordan Harp and Emalee Gaffney – who will be looked upon to provide leadership on and off the field.

Callie Fortenberry is among the leaders returning with a .375 batting average in 2014. Barri Rogers had a 2.96 ERA with 30 strikeouts, and Maddux Kirkland batted a .300.

Assisting Howard with the 23 players on her squad is Lawrence County assistant coach and husband Marc Howard and assistant coach Craig Davis.

The Lady Cougars’ first regular season home game will be against the Brookhaven Lady Panthers on Aug. 18. The junior varsity game will precede the varsity game.

Lawrence County 2015 Team Roster

Seniors

Jordan Harp, Barri Rogers, Emalee Gaffney.

Juniors

Callie Fortenberry, Amanda Rushing

Sophomores

Josey Nations, Tyranesha Davis, Zyon Feazell, Maddux Kirkland.

Freshmen

Julianna Johnson, Abbie Errington, Alyssa Lambert.

Eighth Graders

Sydney Pevey, Raylee Ready, Abbey Turnage, Ashey Holden.

Seventh Graders

Skyler Speights, Julie Nations, Lily Stephens, Tara Ervin, Gin Fortenberry, Jadasia Grandberry, Maddie Claie Sauls

Managers

Kennedi Howell, Iscah Fleming-Rumble

 Lawrence County Schedule

AUGUST

8-LC Jamboree, 15-at Puckett Classic, 18-Brookhaven, 20-at Bogue Chitto, 24-at South Pike, 25-Franklin County, 27-at Mendenhall.

SEPTEMBER 

1-South Pike, 3-Bogue Chitto, 8-North Pike, 10-at Wesson, 15-at Franklin County, 17-at West Lincoln, 22-at North Pike, 24-Wesson, 26-at Brookhaven Tournament, 29-at Mize.

OCTOBER 

1-at Raleigh, 3-LC Tournament, 6-Mendenhall, 8-Florence, 13-First Round of Playoffs, 17-Second Round of Playoffs, 20-South State, 24-State Championship.