Softball season has arrived for the Brookhaven Academy Lady Cougars as they prepare for their 2015 fastpitch debut Aug. 3, against the powerful Lady Colonels of Copiah Academy at Gallman.

The junior varsity game will start at 5, followed by the varsity at 6:30 p.m.

Coach Becky Flowers beginning her second campaign at the helm of BA softball fortunes, is excited about the upcoming season.

“We are very young this year, but we have great senior leadership to lead the way, so I’m looking forward to that,” said Flowers.

Flowers’ team will consists of three seniors (Allison Livingston, Alex Rae Smith and Allie Summers), two juniors, two sophomores, two freshmen, one eighth grader, three seventh graders and two sixth graders.

With 15 players on the squad, Flowers expects most of them to see playing time, either in the varsity or junior varsity games, or both.

“We have a lot of young players that will have to play both varsity and junior varsity,” said Flowers. “Which will help give them more experience.”

The Lady Cougars will have four returning starters – Alex Rae Smith at pitcher/second baseman, Anna Grace Covington at centerfield, Kailyn Jordan at shortstop and Cameron Watson, outfielder – back for the 2015 season.

BA lost catcher Anna Smith, left fielder Morgan Walker, first baseman Olivia Thornton and pitcher/outfielder Olivia Lofton to graduation.

Last year, the Lady Cougars finished the season 15-19 and had a 4-4 record in District 2AA action to make the South AA State tournament.

This year’s district will be even tougher for the Lady Cougars as BA has moved up in the classification to AAA. Brookhaven Academy’s new division opponents are ACCS, Simpson and Columbia.

“Moving up in classifications to AAA will definitely be a challenge,” said Flowers. “Simpson, Columbia and ACCS are very strong contenders. Both Simpson and Columbia competed for state titles last season.”

Flowers stated that her team will be a little more consistent on the mound and in the field.

Offensively, the Lady Cougars will have to be patient at the plate with their approach and pitch selection.

Becky’s assistant coach is her oldest son, Drake Flowers.

Copiah Academy, coached by Terry Bauer, is expectd to have another strong season again.

Brookhaven Academy Roster 

SENIORS: Allison Livingston, Alex Rae Smith, Allie Summers

JUNIORS: Elizabeth Case, Anna Grace Covington

SOPHOMORES: K.K. Jordan, Cameron Watson

FRESHMEN: Ainsley Allen, Natalie Rials

EIGHTH GRADERS: Olivia Lewis

SEVENTH GRADERS: Abeni Fuller, Makayla Martin, Madi Smith

SIXTH GRADERS: Madison Moak, Emily Claire Felder

2015 Brookhaven Academy Lady Cougars Schedule

AUGUST:  3-at Copiah Academy, 4-Parklane, 10-Columbia Acad., 13-at Park Place Acad., 15-at ASC Tournament, 18-ACCS, 24-at ACCS, 25-at Bowling Green, 29-at Parklane Tournament, 31-Prentiss Christian.

SEPTEMBER:  1-at Simpson Acad., 5-Bowling Green, 8-Simpson Acad., 12-BA Tournament at Hansel King Sports Complex, 14-at Columbia Acad., 19-at Jackson Prep Tournament, 21-at Prentiss Christian, 22-Amite School Center, 26/28-South State Tournament at Hansel King Sports Complex.

OCTOBER:  3/5 State AAA Championship at Shiloh Park, Brandon.