Hornets, Lady Lions hope to repeat

The Senath-Hornersville Lady Lions could not have had a happier ending to last season.

Playing without their top pitcher, the Lady Lions entered the Bootheel Conference Tournament as underdogs, only to shock previously-undefeated Kennett in the title game and win the league tourney.

Now, coach Bradley Sneed is hoping his Senath-Hornersville squad will use last season's success as a springboard for another run.

"We've been talking about it these last few days in practice," he said. "That's where we want to pick up -- from where we left off. We've got some newcomers and freshmen that were not a part of it and we're trying to gel together as a team."

The Lady Lions return several key players, including pitchers Hannah Kennedy and Evelyn Rodriguez -- the latter of whom was on the mound when Senath-Hornersville upset Kennett last spring.

"Our pitching is probably better than it's been the two previous seasons that I've been with them," said Sneed. "Hannah she's going to be there, she's consistent. ... Evelyn's worked real hard in the offseason."

Also returning are all-Bootheel catcher McKenzie Harris -- also a Dandy Dozen selection -- as does first baseman Megan Smith and Mallory Fritz.

"Defensively we're probably as solid as we've been," Sneed said.

Sneed calls his team the best group he's had since he took the job in 2007, and they open the season a week from Friday at home against Southland.

"We've got a lot of young girls and freshmen that can play a little bit," said Sneed. "It's just a matter of trying to find the right combination on the field."

Meanwhile, the Holcomb Lady Hornets are hoping to repeat as Tri-County Conference Tournament champions despite having some holes to fill.

"We lost six seniors -- six seniors that were good players," Holcomb coach Seth McBroom said. "It's going to be hard to fill their their shoes. But the five that we have returning -- the five who saw action last year -- they're just good kids and I just enjoy being around them. They work hard and bring a lot of enthusiasm to the field and I wouldn't trade them."

Leading that list is senior hurler Jenna McKuin, a Dandy Dozen selection last spring who is expected to be one of the top pitchers in the Bootheel this season.

"Coming in (last season) I heard she had some trouble with command but she really stepped up," said McBroom. "We're just expecting big things for her off the mound."

Also returning for Holcomb are the quartet of Mallori Jones, Chelsi Akridge, Elizabeth Weaver and Taylor Moody.

The Lady Hornets open the season on Tuesday at home against Kennett before playing host to Campbell next Thursday.

"Campbell should be good," McBroom said. "That's who we played in the championship game. I look for them to turn some heads."

Campbell and Holcomb should not be the only ones fighting for the Tri-County crown. Delta C7 returns pitching standout Brittney Tidwell and a talented senior class that won the league title two years ago, and Southland returns a strong junior class led by Darcy McMinn and Becca Bakich.

"Both of those (girls) are going be a lot stronger and I've got Magen Hembrey back," Southland coach Johnny McMinn said. "As long as they're hitting we should (do well). As long as our pitchers throw strikes we should do well."

Still, coach McMinn isn't sure what to expect entering next week's opener against South Pemiscot.

"Until we actually start playing, I don't know what to expect," said coach McMinn.