Lady Tigers set to open softball season

The Mountain Home Lady Tigers open their 2007 softball season this week, traveling to Timberline on Thursday and hosting Wood River for two in Saturday.

Lady Tiger softball coach Joy Memmelaar was pleased with this year's turnout for softball.

"We had a good turnout. We had I think 33 girls turn out, so it was a good turnout."

Coach Memmelaar has eight coming back from last year's squad that went 10-14 overall. They played Meridian, Boise and Caldwell at a Jamboree last Saturday, and Memmelaar was pleased with their efforts there.

"We went 2-1. The first game was a little scary, kind of like we forgot how to play, but by the second and third games they got their act together and remembered and were hitting the ball. It definitely told us what we need to work on, but that's what a jamboree is for."

Memmelaar lost her leading pitcher, Ali Hillman, to graduation, but has BreAnn Christiansen back, She went 2-3 and pitched 28.3 innings last year as a freshman. Memmelaar also brought up two other pitchers.

"We brought Sara Harlan up to help with pitching. She's a big lefthander from the JV and we brought up a freshman, a new girl, Nikayla Skinner, who's going to pitch for us, also. She's really good, so we should be good."

The Lady Tigers open their season Thursday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. at Timberline. They host Wood River for two Saturday starting at 11 a.m.