DMS Softball Opens Saturday

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Coming off its winningest-season ever, Du Quoin (Middle School) again carries some very high softball expectations.

The Lady Warriors, 20-5 and third place finishers in last year's SIJHSAA Class L State Finals, open play Saturday at the 16-team Marion Invitational Tournament.

DMS battles Herrin in one of four 9:30 a.m. contests Saturday.

Second year coach Jason James welcomes back 15 letter winners-five of those starters-from 2007. However, he must replace the entire starting infield.

"I lost my whole group (on the infield) to graduation," James said.

"Which was a very talented group of girls. I have a lot of girls now really battling for positions. My final decisions probably won't be made until the bus trip to Marion."

Pitching ace Cassidy Rice, also one of the team's top hitters, returns to the line-up along with leadoff batter Cassidy Hill (CF).

Carley Hill (OF-1B-P), Kelsey Robinson (OF) and Hadley Marek (DP) also started. Marek will handle catching duties this fall.

Top infield hopefuls include Aubrey Davis (SS), Bri Green and Sydney Heumann at second base, Rebekah Maddox (1B) and the third base duo of Kate Toler and Colby Williams.

Annie Claire Bastien (IF) is also vying for playing time.

In the outfield, James points to the experience of both Hill's.

Amanda Williams, Rebekah Woodside, Katrina Whitley, Haley Stewart, Jessica Martin, Bailie Caldwell and Abbey Myers are battling for the final starting position.

Myers and Whitley will back Marek up behind the plate with Myers also listed on the infield.

Emily Asbury (P) is the #2 pitcher.

"My expectations for this group are very high," James admits.

"The group is working very hard to improve. We have really came a long way over the last couple of weeks. Only time will tell, but if we continued to work very hard I see nothing but good things for us this season."