The Bogue Chitto Lady Bobcats will rely on their experienced veteran leadership and team speed as they look to claim A State 1A crown in slowpitch softball. The Lady Cats are ready to start their season Aug. 16 at Franklin Tournament in Meadville.

Bogue Chitto has 8 starters returning for the 2014 season: Mallory Allen at left field, Colby Kirkland at left-center field, Daley Roberts at right-center field, Alana Nettles at third place, Christian Black at catcher, Brook Myers at pitcher, Zariah Matthews at shortstop and Terrah Nelson at second base.

Bogue Chitto lost four seniors to graduation. Mattie Avants, Alexis Givens, Earlneshia Dillon and Jordan McKinney. Avants signed a softball scholarship with the Co-Lin Lady Wolves. Givens also sign a softball scholarship to play for the Southwest Lady Bears.

The Lady Cats will have three seniors contributing leadership in this year’s squad with Daley Roberts, Mallory Allen and Colby Kirkland.

“We are looking forward to a great season,” said Bogue Chitto head coach Scott Leggett. “We have a great group of girls on the team who have great potential and speed. They have worked hard all summer and loves to play the game.”

Leggett, 39, will be starting his eleventh season at the Bogue Chitto helm. The Lady Bobcats hope to make a return trip to Jackson after winning the state championship in fastpitch softball last spring. BC will look to improve on an 17-14 record last year and finished with a 3-1 record in district play.

Christian Black is one of the starters that led the team in 2013 with a .634 batting average. Mallory Allen is the second leading batter returning with a .417. Nelson had a .351, Kirkland .326, Nettles .306, Matthews .259, and Myers .239.

Bogue Chitto assistant coach is Denise Leggett. The squad has 20 players.

The Lady Bobcats’ first home game will be against the Lawrence County Lady Cougars on Aug. 19. The junior varsity game will precede the varsity game.

BOGUE CHITTO 2014 Team Roster

Seniors 

Daley Roberts, Mallory Allen, Colby Kirkland

Juniors

Christian Black, Alana Nettles, Zariah Matthews, Brooke Myers

Sophomores

Terrah Nelson, Cherie Savoie

Freshmen

Destiny Wallace, Lineka Newson, Reagan Kirkland, Kinley Douglas, T’asis Black

Eighth Graders 

Baileigh Jackson, Karly Leake, Gracie Gautreaux

Seventh Graders 

Stevie Montgomery, Codi Leggett, Payton Barron

Bogue Chitto Schedule

AUGUST 

9-at Lawrence Co. Jamboree, 16-at Franklin Co. Tournament, 19-Lawrence Co. 5/6 p.m., 21-at Amite Co. 5/6 p.m., 26-West Lincoln, 5/6 p.m., 28-Brookhaven, 5 p.m.

SEPTEMBER

2-Lawrence Co. 5/6 p.m., 4-at Wesson, 5/6 p.m., 6-at West Lincoln Tournament, 9-Amite Co., 5/6 p.m., 11-at Franklin Co., 5:30/6:30 p.m., 16-Stringer, 5/6 p.m., 18-at Brookhaven, 5/6 p.m., 23-at Lumberton, 5/6 p.m., 25-at Stringer, 5/6 p.m., 27-at Brookhaven Tournament, 30-Lumberton, 5/6 p.m.

OCTOBER

2-at Lawrence Co., 5/6 p.m., 4-Bogue Chitto Tournament, 7-Puckett, 5/6 p.m., 11-at West Lincoln, 11 a.m./12 p.m. 14-1st Round South, TBA, 18-2nd Round South, TBA, 21-South State Finals, TBA, 25-State Championship (Freedom Ridge Park).