What was supposed to have been Piedmont’s first softball game of the 2010 season, a home contest with Cherokee County, fell victim to Monday night’s rain and Tuesday morning’s snow. Coach Matt Deerman stopped at the softball field Tuesday morning before arriving at school and deemed it unplayable.

“The field was in bad shape. With the predicted high 39, I think it would be silly to try to play,” Deerman said.

Deerman said he and Cherokee County coach Travis Barnes would try to reschedule the game later in the season. Weather permitting, the Bulldogs will now open at home Thursday against Lincoln.

Deerman said he expected to begin the season with Kayla Allen as the No. 1 pitcher. Hilarie Hincy will catch. In the infield, Deerman will have Raven Prater at first base, Brittany Holloway at second, Catie Hightower at shortstop and Sara Beth Minton at third. From left to right, the outfielders will be Brea Dixon, Tracy Freeman and Victoria Sears.

“I think that’s our best defensive lineup. We’ve got a lot of speed so it’s not a bad offensive lineup either,” Deerman said. “I think what we’ll probably end up doing is finding somebody who’s got the hot stick and put them in there as the (extra player).”

Prater is the lone senior on the squad. She has not played softball in several years. “She’s a really, really smart kid and she’s a really good athlete. With her height and agility, I think she could be a good weapon at first base,” Deerman said. “Whatever she does, she’s going to do as hard as she can. That’s just her nature.”

Dixon, Hightower, Hincy and Sears are juniors as is reserve Jessica DeVoe. Allen and Freeman are sophomores as are reserves Meagan Hoxie and Ashley Sears. Holloway and Minton are freshmen. Classmates Morgan Blackerby and Jasheera Braswell join them on the varsity roster.

“I think our No. 2 pitcher is going to be a ninth-grader,” said Deerman, speaking of Blackerby. “She’s done well. She’s been a pleasant surprise.”

“We’re not going to have anybody, as far as pitching goes, who’s going to overpower anybody,” Deerman said.

Allen and Blackerby will be successful by pitching to locations, issuing few walks and keeping the ball in play to allow the defensive players to do their jobs.

“We need more practice time. It’s hard to evaluate a team in seven days,” Deerman said. “We’ve got stuff we haven’t even touched yet.”

The good thing in Deerman’s mind is, “We play so many games, you can kind of learn as you go.”

The Bulldogs play at home on Monday and Tuesday of next week against Cedar Bluff and Wellborn.