The Russellville varsity softball team takes the field this season under the leadership of a new head coach, and the Lady Golden Tigers are off to a winning start.

Rick Lawson takes over the program at RHS after many years of coaching experience in Mississippi and on the travel ball circuit.

Russellville is off to an impressive 13-6-1 start, and the Lady Golden Tigers are 2-0 in area play with wins over Lawrence County and Ardmore.

RHS has a good mix of senior leadership from Emma Campbell, Paislee James, Kristin McGlaughn and Jacey Moore with a group of talented young players that are playing key roles on the varsity squad.

“I’ve got a young team other than my four seniors,” Lawson said. “Those young ladies have taken the tiger by the tail. They came out and have done everything that I’ve asked them to do. They have been leaders on the field, they have been leaders inside my dugout and they are the biggest fans of my young players out there. I can’t brag on them enough because we don’t have the success that we’ve had without those four seniors.”

Russellville also has a large group of young players that are already showing outstanding skill at various positions on the field. “I don’t know how you replace them (the seniors) but we do have a bright future with this young group that we have and we’ve got some eighth graders coming up that are going to help contribute a lot too,” Lawson added.

RHS competes in Class 5A Area 16 with the Ardmore Tigers and Lawrence County Red Devils. After playing in the Orange Beach Tournament, Russellville will travel to Deshler April 1; host Central April 2; travel to Hamilton April 4; travel to Mars Hill April 5; host Mars Hill April 9; travel to Lawrence County April 11; play in the Sardis Invitational April 12-13; host Deshler April 15; host Ardmore April 18; play in the Florence NW Alabama Bash April 19-20; host Florence April 23; and travel to Hatton April 25.