Although the high school basketball post-season is in regional tournament play and state tournament play next week, softball is also about to be in full swing. Softball season begins this Friday when the Paris Lady Eagles open the 2021 season at home versus the Dardanelle Lady Sand Lizards. The first game (varsity game) is scheduled to start Friday at 5 p.m. There is a weather forecast predicting a 50% chance of thunderstorms for Friday according to the internet site Weatherbug, so it remains to be seen if the two schools will be able to play the non-conference match on Friday. And so it goes for spring sports; weather is always unpredictable and rain often plays a significant factor in the scheduling and re-scheduling of games.
Players around the state are anxious to get the new season started after the unexpected sudden end to the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a terrible thing to witness to see the players’ seasons come to a sudden end, especially for last year’s seniors. But all indications show that this is a new year, and sports have been able to survive amid the many modifications and restrictions, and indicators point toward a full and successful season for all spring sports in 2021.
When the Lady Eagles take the field they will be led by their all-everything senior pitcher, Jadyn Hart. Hart is a good bet for All-State honors this year. She can be a very dominating pitcher from the mound, and anytime the Lady Eagles have her start a game, they have a good chance to win.
The schedule of games for the first week of the season for the Lady Eagles is:
March 5 Paris vs. Dardanelle 5 p.m. (V, JV)
March 8 Paris vs. Magazine 5 p.m. (V, JV)
March 9 Paris vs. Waldron 5 p.m. (V, JV)
March 11 Paris at Ft. Smith Southside 5 p.m. (V, JV)
March 12 Paris at Booneville 4:30 p.m. (V, JV)
So keep your fingers crossed for good weather and for the rain to hold off until Saturday. Softball players across the state have waited so long for this year to start, and it would be a shame for the start of the season to be delayed again. But whatever happens, rest assured that the Lady Eagles will be ready to play.
It should be a fun season, and Resident Press will be there to bring our readers all of the action. Good luck to all of the area and conference teams as they start the 2021 season! It is finally time to PLAY BALL!
