By Brandon Park
Staff Writer

When the Morgan County High School Lady Dogs fast pitch softball team entered the Lead Off Classic on August 14, hopes were high for a successful season.

The team completed the tournament as the runner-up in the bronze division with a 2-4 record, short of the expectations set by Head Coach Anne Stamps.

The two day tournament pitted the Lady Dogs against Elbert County, Harlem, Greenbriar, Lumpkin County, Winder-Barrow and Thompson. Wins came against Winder-Barrow and Thompson.

"We learned we have several things to work on," Stamps said. "It is a long season and we have a long way to go."

The Lady Dogs began their regular season on Tuesday, August 19 with an 8-1 loss against North Oconee County.

A complete-game six-hitter by North Oconee pitcher Ali Watson proved to be more than the Lady Dogs offense could handle.

"We need to have hits start falling in for us," Stamps said. "It seemed everything we hit was hit directly to North Oconee."

Two days following the loss to North Oconee, the Lady Dogs hosted their first region game against Hart County, suffering their second loss and sending their record to 0-2 on the year.

"Hopefully things will get better and the ball will start falling our way," Stamps said. "We have a lot to work on, but if we can put a bat on the ball and have hits start dropping for us, we will be OK. Again, it is a long season and we will get better with time."

The Lady Dogs are a relatively young team, starting only one senior and a number of juniors. Stamps said that on-field experience will play a tremendous role in the teams advancement throughout the season.
Tornado warnings and torrential rainfall cancelled Tuesday's region action against Jackson County. A make up date has not been released.

The Lady Dogs next game will be at home against region opponent Eastside onThursday, August 28 at 4:30 p.m.