Head coach of the 2015 Troy Darlings 7- and 8-year-old team, Shane Griffin has coached softball for 10 years. And he believes his 2015 team has the talent to do some damage heading into the district tournament.

“It’s just a lot of fun. I love working with kids,” Griffin said. “It brings me great joy to be able to work with them. We are having fun, getting ready for the tournament.”

Members of the 2015 Troy Darlings team are: Madison Allen, Addison Armstrong, Abigail Barron, Kyla Griffin, Emily Hussey, Paitin Riley, Jaci Rushing, Alyssa Sellers, Anna Trawick, Tera Walker, Mary Hayden West, and Elizabeth Yarbrough.

Joining Griffin on the coaching staff are: Neal Armstrong, Judson West, and Jimmy Sellers.

The Troy Darlings have been practicing for nearly two weeks in hopes of toning up their game.

“I think we are going to be a good team all the way around. I think we will be a team that is going to hit the ball really well, but also be a team that plays really well defensively,” Griffin said. “We will be a team that will be able to field the ball really well. We’ve got some good fielders with good arms; come tournament time, I think we will be fine.”

Before district play begins, the Troy Darlings will compete in the Dixie Warm Up Tournament this Saturday at the Troy Sportsplex. Teams that will be competing with The Darlings this weekend will be Dothan, Ozark, and Crenshaw County.

The Region 1 sub-district tournament begins June 19 in Luverne. The Darlings open play against Andalusia at 6 p.m. on June 19.

The other teams in the Region 1 tournament are Zion Chapel and the host team Luverne.