Summer workouts are continuing for the Dawson County High School softball team.

Coach Jimmy Pruett has conducted voluntary morning workouts throughout July for all players wanting to try out for the team this season.

"Workouts are very good, we have had good numbers all summer, and the girls are working very hard," Pruett said.

Pruett is the lone coach in the program at the moment following the departure of longtime assistant coach Nickie Rogers, who has taken the head softball position at Sprayberry High School.

"The girls really understood and helped out a lot. I had our upperclassmen help out with drills, and they really responded," Pruett said.

The Lady Tigers are coming off a 15-10 mark from last season. Region 7-AAA has changed this year with the addition of Lumpkin and Franklin counties.

"It's a new region that is filled with strong teams, Franklin County has been very good recently, Lumpkin County is new to our region, and they have always had good teams, Banks, Fannin, and East Hall return a ton of talent," Pruett said.

Dawson County will also bring back a bevy of talent. The Lady Tigers have eight players returning who all started games last year. The team will be led by six seniors Joy Lewis, Emily Hunsucker, Samantha Keeney, Brooke Wende, Hannah McConnell and Savannah Havercam.

"I think that all of our seniors should be great leaders. They have all lead by example this off season. Also Tabitha Morrison and Kateyln Simpson bring a lot to the table," Pruett said.

Lewis will be the number one pitcher this season for the Lady Tigers.

"Other than Joy pitching and Tabitha Morrison in center, all of the other positions are all up in the air. We are working on some girls in new positions," he said. "We also have a lot of girls, who can play multiple positions.

"I think our overall team experience should be a strong point for us."

The Lady Tigers will hold tryouts for varsity and junior varsity at 9 a.m. Friday at Jack Waldrip Field on the campus of Dawson County High School.

All girls that tryout must have a Georgia High School Association physical on file and insurance.

Dawson County will play a scrimmage against Union County on Aug. 6 before opening the regular season at the Lanier Pointe Tournament in Gainesville that weekend.