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By Carey Reeder | Staff Writer and Brandon Sumrall | SPECIAL to the ADVERTISER

Softball in Chilton County opens this weekend, and all eyes will be on the Tigers at Chilton County High School.

After a run to the Class 6A state playoffs in 2021, CCHS hopes its young core mixed with senior leadership is the correct formula to take that next step.

This is the first season the Tigers will have more than two seniors on the roster boasting four in 2022 led by University of Alabama signee Marlie Giles. Giles, a 2021 ASWA all-state first team selection, broke her foot early this year playing basketball. She is expected to be sidelined till after the county tournament.

Seniors Emma Deason, Emma Kate Locke and Jadyn Kurdziel will look to pick up the slack in Giles’ absence. Deason will control the pitching circle in 2022 for the Tigers.

“We’ve always been a young team, but I expect big leadership things out of our seniors this season,” CCHS coach Johnny Giles said. “We’ve got so many young kids that will get opportunities to step up.”

Macy Pierce leads the young group for CCHS earning an honorable mention on the AWSA all-state team last season and is the reigning county tournament most valuable player. Pierce will replace Giles at catcher until she returns to the lineup.

“[Pierce] is the heart and soul of our lineup,” Johnny Giles said.

Sophomore Tyeshia Williams will follow Pirece in the Tiger lineup at shortstop, and eighth grader Mallie Harrison will backup Deason in the circle. Fellow eighth grader Chloe Shiers had a big year last season in centerfield and Johnny Giles looks for much of the same from the young upstart.

“In my opinion, she’s as good as anyone in the state of Alabama in centerfield,” Giles said. “She made huge plays for us last year and is a force in center field and takes away so many hits”

As for the rest of the Chilton County softball teams, Jemison High School will need pitching to replace their ace from last season leaving in Kinley Bolton. First year head coach Jacob Brown will lead the Panthers on Feb. 22 taking on Isabella to open the season.

Next door, Thorsby hopes to lean on the experience of LSU-Eunice signee Lindsey Burnett. Coach Holly Matson and the Rebels’ opening day is Feb. 24 as they travel to Holtville.

Maplesville softball kicks off on Feb. 22 hosting Prattville Christian Academy.

The Billingsley Bears and the Verbena Red Devils both begin their season on Feb. 25 taking on Isabella and Vincent, respectively.