run at 5A State Championship

By KEVIN PEARCEY

Sports Writer

Yesterday, the CHHS girls’ fast pitch softball team held practice at the Troy Sportsplex in preparations for today’s opening season contest against the Northview Cougars.

And hopes are high around Troy that this could be the season that the Lady Trojans bring back a state championship.

"We’ve got all players returning except one," Henderson head coach Steve Haug said yesterday. "And these girls have had three years playing experience with each other. I would say we’ve got a good chance to go all the way."

Haug said that many citizens of Troy have expressed interest in the Lady Trojans chances for a state title this upcoming season.

"People ask me all the time, ‘are we going to win state?’ And I tell them I don’t know," he said. "But I feel that this year could be our best chance in a long time."

Haug said that today’s game will be the first that Northview has played under fast-pitch softball rules. He said that under the more traditional slow-pitch, the Cougars have been one of the more hard-hitting teams in the past.

"I’m sure (Northview head coach) Bo Johnson would probably try to ‘poor mouth’ his team and tell you they’re no good," Haug said. "But I expect them to give us a fight."

The Lady Trojans got a little real-game action Sunday when they played their intra-squad Orange and Blue game and will now try to roll over the real competition as the Northview game will kick off a schedule spanning three months and well over 20 games.

The first pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at the Troy Sportsplex.