The Bryan County Lady Skins softball team followed up their recent scrimmage win to get the 2008 season started off on the right track by defeating the Lady Eagles of Jenkins County 5-2 on Aug. 15.

Freshman Tiffany Howard was on the mound for the Redskins and held the Eagles in check for most of the game, allowing only five hits.

"Several times, Tiffany has pitched two pitches and come up with two outs," Coach Al Butler said. "She did a good job of making them put the ball in play. She had a low pitch count for 3-4 innings before it began to increase, and I am pleased with her performance today."

Rebecca Strickland picked up the first hit of the game for the Lady Skins with a leadoff single in the bottom of the third inning that started a hitting and scoring barrage that included a three run, in the park home run by Samantha Howard.

All of the Redskins’ seven hits and five runs were produced in this one big inning and proved to be enough firepower to hold on for a 5-2 win.

The following Lady Skins were each involved in the offense in this game: Strickland (1B, 1 Run), Sierra Newman (1B, 1 Run), Tiffany Howard (1B, 1 Run, 1 RBI), Rebecca Horton (1B), Stephanie Turner (1B), Bridgette Bacon (1B, 1 Run, 2 RBI), Samantha Howard (HR, 1 Run, 2 RBI).

Jenkins County picked up their first run of the game in the sixth inning and added one more run in the seventh.

Butler said he was pleased to get a win in the first game, but recognized some areas that still need work.

"Offensively, we have got to hit the ball better and more consistently, plus we are missing too many signs when at the plate and not effectively executing the signs given on a consistent basis," he said. "Defensively, we made a couple of mental errors that should have produced outs and we didn’t, but overall I like what I see from these girls. I like their attitude and focus. They are young, but real smart. They just need some game experience because they expect to come out here and do the things they know how to do and walk away with a win. It has worked thus far."