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It was a tough season opener for the Troup softball team as they played host to 1A powerhouse Heard County. The youthful Tigers struggled to find many positives on a scorching afternoon. 

The nerves got the better of Troup early with the team committing two errors in the first that helped the Braves ease to a 4-0 lead. Heard County would add an additional run in the second and three more in the fifth to close out the game.

Troup was in danger of being on the wrong end of a no-hitter until Kaitlyn Smalley hit a single in the bottom of the fourth. This coupled with Olivia Damron’s single in the fifth would be all the hits Troup could muster. The Tigers left Damron at third base in the fifth as that would be the closest they would get to putting a run on the board.

Kaylee Umfress started in the circle and pitched 4 ⅓ innings before making way for Smalley. 

Troup comes into the season a bit banged up, with the team missing one of its best players, junior outfielder Sheniyah Philpot, who is nursing a minor injury. Kennedy McCoy started at third base but cannot hit yet as she works back from a hip injury. The only senior on the team, Camdyn Bassett, served as the team’s designated hitter but was Troup’s no. 1 pitcher last season, a role she may be unable to fill as she works back from a shoulder injury.

Troup’s young guns will have to grow up fast with the team hosting East Coweta on Friday for a purple out to honor former player Hadilee Arnold, who is recovering after an automobile accident early this year.