Although several team members on the Greenville High girls softball team are experienced varsity material, all are starting new this year, with "Fast-pitch" style rules.

"Most people didn't know that we were shifting to fast-pitch," said Coach Leslie Rowls, "but all our returning players participated in the City League fast-pitch clinic last fall, so they are not coming out unprepared."

The Greenville girls were scheduled to travel to Goshen on Thursday; officials at Goshen requested that the game be re-scheduled for a later date, due to conflicts with finals games that are still underway from basketball season.

"That gives us a little more time to get prepared," Rowls said. "We have a young team, but that is good for the future, because our team will grow and learn together for a long time."

Rowls said that the team has six returning starters from last season, and sophomore Niki White is slated to be the Lady Tigers' starting pitcher.

"Niki shows a lot of talent and promise, as do the rest of our girls," said Rowls. "Freshman Jessica Thomas and sophomore Shae Hartman also exhibit great talent, and will be backup pitchers."

But the question on everyone's minds will be that catching hand of freshman Lakyn Newton.

"Lakyn is well-adjusted to catching the "fast-pitch", and she is very fast to stand up from a crouch and get the ball to the infielders," Rowls said.

Regarding the competition, Rowls says she is optimistic.

"Most of the other teams on our schedule are in their second year of fast-pitch; we are the youngest team at it-and a few are actually well-experienced."

Rowls said that the key to the success in the Lady Tigers' program is going to be growth.

"We have a lot of growing and learning to do-everyone is excited and eager to play-we just have to learn and grow," she said.

The Lady Tigers will host Carroll High School-Ozark on Monday at 5 p.m., and Charles Henderson-Troy at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, weather permitting.