In 2018, a young Pineville Mountain Lions team that had only one senior finished the season 9-16, ending their season against the Knox Central Panthers in the 51st District tournament. The Mountain Lions still only have one senior in versatile athlete Deion Coffman, but they have five upper-classmen in total this season.

The Mountain Lions will look to their veteran leadership to help guide the way for the young team.

Pineville also has a new weapon in their dugout this season — former Bell County head coach Robbie Landrum. During his time at Bell County, Landrum coached the Bobcats to their first winning season in more than four years. Landrum’s record at Bell County was 21-29. Improving from 7-16 in his first year as head coach to 14-13 in his second year, Landrum has proven that he can turn a team around quickly.

Pineville opens their season against Oneida Baptist Institute at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at home. The last time the two teams met in April 2018, the Mountain Lions cruised to an 11-1 win in five innings.

The Pineville Mountain Lions

– Junior, Reed Baker

– Freshman, Chandler Baker

– 8th Grade, Evan Biliter

– Freshman, Ashton Burns

– Junior, Braxton Caldwell

– Freshman, Hayden Callebs

– Sophomore, Reese Capps

– Senior, Deion Coffman

– Freshman, Alex Foister

– Sophomore, Timothy Gambrel

– Junior, Cody Goodin

– Junior, Kaden Handshoe

– Freshman, Landon King

– 8th Grade, Walker Landrum

– Sophomore, Braiden Lingar

– Freshman, Trinity Mills

– Sophomore, Jonathan Simpson

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After a long 2018 season in which they went 1-15, the Lady Lions are optimistic about the 2019 campaign. Pineville struggled on the sticks last season, averaging just fewer than three runs per game. In their lone victory of the season, the Lady Lions defeated Oneida Baptist Institute in a barn burner, 14-13.

Returning six starters from last year, Pineville looks to experience and work ethic to improve on last year’s record. The Lady Lions’ season ended at the hands of the Knox Central Lady Panthers in the opening round of the 51st District tournament last year.

“I’m very optimistic about the upcoming season,” said Pineville softball coach Lindsey Ross. “We had a young team last year, so we are returning six of our starters from last season. We are still young, but we have been stressing hard work and determination prior to the season.

“I like where we are so far, we’ve been working hard, and I’ve seen a lot of stuff I like. We still need to polish some things up, but I like where we are at. We have a lot of new players coming up that are excited to get out there and get to work.”

Pineville opens the season against the Lynn Camp Lady Wildcats in the opening round of the 13th Region All “A” Classic at 5:30 p.m. on Monday.

The Pineville Lady Lions

– Freshman, Joey Barlow

– Freshman, Emma Birkmeier

– Freshman, Jenna Bogucki

– Junior, Chesney Brock

– Junior, Allison Caldwell

– 8th Grade, Amber Centers

– Senior, Hannah Daniels

– Freshman, Alyssa Edmonson

– Sophomore, Virginia Hall

– Senior, Lillie Kelley

– Freshman, Alexis Lefevers

– 8th Grade, Makenna Partin

– 7th Grade, Savannah Phipps

– 7th Grade, Addison Slone

– Freshman, Santana Tuttle

– Freshman, Madison Wilder

– Freshman, Shelby Wilson

– Sophomore, Haylee Wynn