UPDATE: Today's game against Philip Barbour was cancelled. The Lady Indians are in action 5 p.m. Monday at Fairmont Senior. 

 

ORIGINAL POST: The Bridgeport High School softball season gets underway today with a home contest against Philip Barbour. Coach Larry “Rabbit” Snider said his team – equipped with experienced upperclassmen and the fresh talents of newcomers – is ready and excited to take the field.

 

“Anytime the kids have a little experience under their belts, it goes a long way,” he said. “We have good defense and I think we’re pretty solid offensively. Of course, it’s still early and hard to tell in practice, but so far they are swinging the bats pretty good.”

 

The Lady Indians ended the 2018 season 16-9, advancing to regionals, falling to the undefeated Herbert Hoover.

 

With the exception of Peyton Merica, who decided to focus her time and effort on volleyball this year, Snider’s starting lineup is back this season.

 

All seniors, Emily Riggs returns as shortstop, Lauren Riffle at first base, Katelyn Stanley as catcher, Laiken Cook in right field and Starr Pope on the mound. Senior Katie McDaniels is currently playing left field.

 

Sophomore Paige Humble will likely play center field. Other sophomore hopefuls include Corinne Lalama at second base; Johnna Hull, pitcher and infielder; Makenzie Earp, outfielder; Lyda Sandy, third baseman and Olivia Kesling, catcher. Freshmen Makenna Smith and Maci Cook will also likely see some varsity time.

 

“Makenna and Maci play multiple positions. Makenna pitches so she probably will see some action and she can play in the infield or outfield. Maci also plays infield and outfield, so they will kind of be utility players,” Snider said. “What’s nice about a little bit of depth this year is there is competition for a variety of positions and anytime there is competition, it kind of keeps them on their toes.”

 

Assisted by Chuck Carr, the Tribe softball team started practicing Feb. 25.

 

“Surprisingly, we’ve gotten outside a good bit last week and all this week, so that’s a big plus,” Snider said. “I can remember multiple seasons that the first time we got in the field was the first game.”

 

As the 2018 season concluded, Riggs said there was talk of implementing a more difficult schedule for 2019.

 

“If we get a more competitive schedule, we can see some better pitching and better teams before we get to sectionals,” she said.

 

Snider said that is going to happen.

 

“We have beefed up our schedule this year, picking up teams like Steubenville, Weir, St. Albans, Ripley and a team from Fort Hill, Md., teams we didn’t have on our schedule in the past,” he said. “I think we needed to challenge this team with hopefully some tougher competition.”

 

After kicking off the season with Philip Barbour at 5 p.m. today at the Tribe's home field at Bridgeport Middle School, the Lady Indians look forward to an away game against Fairmont Senior 5 p.m. March 25, a home game against Robert C. Byrd 5 p.m. March 26, an away game against Liberty 5 p.m. March 28 and a home contest against Weir 5 p.m. March 25.

 

See the entire schedule HERE at GameChanger.com.

 

Editor's Note: Photos, from top, feature Emily Riggs, Starr Pope and Katelyn Stanley, as well as members of the team before last year's regional contest. Pictured on the cover are Riggs, Stanley and Lauren Riffle. All photos are by Ben Queen Photography.