Lady Jackets open season at Eupora Classic

August 13, 2011

softball

The Starkville High School slowpitch softball team has two games scheduled to open the season today at the Eupora Classic.
Coach Lisa Spencer can't think of a better way to get the young Lady Yellowjackets going.
The first game for Starkville takes place at 10:30 a.m. against O'Bannon, then it comes back to play Weir at 3 p.m.
There are 10 or 11 Lady Jackets listed as either 7th or 8th graders.
"I think (today) will be good for us," Spencer said. "It will kind of show where we are and what we have to work on. We're expecting a good showing from the girls."
Spencer expects to receive leadership from Valencia Leonard, the only senior on the squad. She's also depending on freshmen Shannon Lanier, Iyuna Clark and Nicole Hackett to carry most of the load. Hackett will pitch for SHS.
After struggling in the field defensively last season, Spencer actually thinks that may be one of the strong areas of the team in 2011.
"We are getting better there," Spencer said. "Even though they are young, they are a talented group. They are bringing a lot to the table."
Spencer enters her seventh season as the slowpitch coach at SHS and anticipates good things.
"I am excited about this year and I see great potential," Spencer said.