As the county's

high school softball teams get ready to take the field this weekend for

the first games of the 2003 season, some will find themselves trying to

duplicate some impressive results from last season.

Fayette swept

the top three spots in Area 4 of AAAAA in 2002, with Fayette County, Starr's

Mill and McIntosh leading the field. All three teams moved on to the state

sectionals.

Starr's Mill

reached the final eight in the state tournament, while Fayette County

went all the way, capping off a 36-2-1 with a state championship. It was

the third time in four years the Lady Tigers came in among the top five

in the state. After defeating Starr's Mill in extra innings in the area

tournament, Fayette County started a run of six straight shutouts at state

before defeating Lowndes for the title.

The Lady Tigers

and Lady Panthers will open play this weekend in Columbus a tournament

hosted by Jordan. Starr's Mill open its home schedule Aug. 21 against

Stockbridge, one day after Fayette County hosts Riverdale in its home

opener.

Sandy Creek,

competing in AAAA, hosts a tournament at McCurry Park the weekend of Aug.

22-23, and McIntosh is scheduled to be among the participants. McIntosh

will open its season Tuesday on the road against Lovejoy, with its first

home game set for Aug. 26 against Carver of Columbus.

Landmark and

Our Lady of Mercy are the local teams competing in Class A. They will

face each other for the first time Sept. 4 at Landmark. Our Lady of Mercy

opens its season Aug. 20 at home against St. Francis.

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