With the DeKalb County High School's basketball season now in the books, the attention now shifts to the spring sports. While last year's season ended before it ever really began, the 2021 Tigerettes Softball team now looks forward to getting on the field and playing ball.

Head Coach Danny Fish told the Smithville Review that while his team missed a vital year of experience last season, the girls have been working hard. "We lost a year of experience, but all the other teams are in the same ballpark as us. I think it's driven our kids to be a little bit more hungry. Sometimes, we think nothing can be taken away from us, or the only way it can end is graduation or injury, but last season was something that was taken away through no fault of our own. Since that moment, I think the kids have been ready to rock. They've worked really hard and I think missing last year is driving us to not leave anything out there and to give it our all. We never know when our last game might be."

As far as how his team looks this season, Coach Fish said it will take time to get where they want to be, but he thinks the Tigerettes will get there. "The team looks good, but we're real young. We were going to start about seven freshmen last year, and we didn't get to play, so all of those kids are now sophomores. They didn't get that year of experience."

"We've got a good team," Fish continued. "We've got good chemistry, and a lot of good players. We're just going to have to play the games to get that experience under our belt. I think by the end of the year, we'll be where we want to be."

When asked what players he is looking to lead the team this year, Coach Fish said that he will rely on some of his returning players to step up. "Probably one of our best returning players is Jacey Hatfield, she's our shortstop and is a junior. She didn't get to play last year, but as a freshman she hit about .400 or .490. We expect her to have a really good year."

"Ellie Cripps is our lone senior. She's a pitcher, plays second, and plays outfield, as well as hits a little bit. She'll do a good job for us. We're looking for her to be command in the circle."

"Emma Johnson and Bri Murphy are our other two pitchers. Johnson is a sophomore, and Murphy is a freshman. Hopefully we'll have some good things with those younger players."

"Really all around we're good at catching," Fish added. "Kennedy Polk is our returning catcher, and she's a really good leader behind the plate. We're also spread out in the outfield with some really good talent. Really, this is one of the most talented teams we've had, we just need that experience to see where we are and what we've got."

As far as weaknesses, Coach Fish said that his defense needs to make more plays. "I think that if we're going to have problems, we've got to get a little bit better defensively, making more of the routine plays. As far as pitching, you know we had Kenzie France and Emmie Colwell the past four years and we didn't really have to worry about what we were getting in the circle. This year, these kids have to go through it. I know they can do it, they know they can do it ... it's just a matter of getting out there and doing it."

Coach Fish said that the team is facing a tough schedule this season, but he thinks his team is looking good. "We open up of the 16th at York. We'll be here at home on the 18th for our first home game, then we'll be heading off to Crump Paris Park in Gordonsville that weekend to play in the Gordonsville Tournament. We'll be going to the Coffee County Classic, which is a really tough tournament. We're also going to the Waverly Invitational, which is another tough tournament. We've got a pretty tough schedule, but you know, if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best."