Good pitching and athletic wisdom will be the team strengths as the Franklin County Lady Bulldogs start their season Aug. 15 in slowpitch softball.

The Lady Bulldogs will have two seniors providing leadership with Shelly Case and Breyonia Williams.

“Good pitching and knowledge of ball will be our team’s strengths this season,” said Franklin County head coach Sally Case. “We will have a very young team with only three starters returning to start the season and it will be interesting to see how my girls step up.”

Case is starting her second season at the helm. The Lady Bulldogs look to improve on a 13-13 record last year and a 4-2 record in district play.

The Lady Bulldogs have three returning starters coming back to help in the field: Shelly Case at third base, Kaytlin Smith at shortstop and Emilee Wallace at first base.

Franklin County lost eight starters to graduation last year: second baseman Alyssa Case, third baseman Jamecia Starks, catcher Emily Smith, shortstop Macy Brabham, leftfielder Cheyenne Higgs, Left-center fielder Sierra Bethley, rightfielder Hailey McDaniel and extra player Jaieshia Bethley.

Shelly Case was among the leaders with a .412 batting average in 2014. Kaytlyn Smith batted .316 and Emilee Wallace .363.

Franklin County assistant coach is Robyn Jones. Case has 16 players on her squad.

The Lady Bulldogs’ first home game will be against the West Lincoln Lady Bears, Aug. 20. The junior varsity game will precede the varsity game.

Franklin County Schedule

AUGUST

15-at West Lincoln (Classic), 20-West Lincoln, 24-Bogue Chitto, 25-at Lawrence County, 27-South Pike, 29-at Wesson Tournament.

SEPTEMBER

1-Warren Central, 3-at West Lincoln, 8-Amite County, 10-at Warren Central, 15-at Crystal Springs, 17-Wesson, 22-at South Pike, 24-Hazlehurst, 26-at Brookhaven Tournament, 29-at Wesson.

OCTOBER

1-Crystal Springs, 3-at Lawrence County Tournament, 6-at Hazlehurst, 10-at Bogue Chitto, 13-First Round of Playoffs, 17-Second Round of Playoffs, 20-South State, 24-State Championship.

Franklin County Lady Bulldogs Roster

Seniors

Shelly Case, Breyonia Williams

Juniors

Emilee Wallace, Ti’Mara Mackey.

Sophomores

Kaytlyn Smith, Tabitha Thompson.

Freshmen

Savannah Frith, Kellie Hunt, Brandi O’Neal, Elaina Quin, Sydney Scott, Taylor Smith.

Eighth Graders 

Chloe Clanton, Marie Clanton, Malaine Moak, Brittany Wallace.