The majority of the 2020 high school softball season was lost due to COVID, and the first week of the 2021 campaign was cancelled due to winter weather. However, the Brownwood Lady Lions will finally return to the diamond for regular season competition at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Dublin.

Lady Lions head coach Jessica Lynn welcomes back five starters in 2021.

“We’ll have a good mixture of returners and new faces this season,” Lynn said. “With the work these girls are putting in I have pretty high expectations for them. We have a lot of talent on this team.”

Key players to watch include senior catcher Auzzlyn Benedict, senior centerfielder Chesney Covey, junior pitcher Annie-Klein Allgood, and sophomore shortstop Mia Lopez.

Regarding what she’s liked the most from what she’s seen out of the Lady Lions, Lynn said, “I feel like our defense will be our strength with the improvements I’ve seen so far.”

Following Tuesday’s opener at Dublin the Lady Lions will compete in the San Angelo Concho Classic and Graham tournament, along with tangling with San Angelo Central, Breckenridge, Alvarado and Abilene Cooper before District 6-4A action begins.

“I want to find a defense and batting lineup that flows and that has good chemistry between the girls,” Lynn said of her pre-district goals for the squad.

The eight-game district slate begins March 23 at Glen Rose. The Lady Lions will face the Lady Tigers, Stephenville, Lampasas and Gatesville twice.

“I don’t know much about our district since I only saw Lampasas last year,” Lynn said. “I assume it’s going to be tough. Our district is tough every year so we’re going to have to be ready when we get to that point in our season.”

As for the potential for the 2021 Lady Lions, Lynn said, “I think this team could be very successful but it’s going to take them trusting themselves and their teammates and the work they’ve all put in. The girls have worked so hard to improve on what we struggled with last season and they’re determined to be successful this year. I can’t wait to see what the season holds for this team.”