Last year the Ada Lady Cougars finished the 2021 season at 22-12 and head into the fall returning eight of nine starters. Head coach Jeremy Strong said that he looks forward to seeing the growth and experience his team has gained over the past season. With so much experience coming back for the Lady Cougars they could make some noise this season and hope to make an appearance at the state tournament in October. Rylynn Truett (C) has a high softball IQ, great vision, instincts, and is a force behind the dish. She is a hard-nosed catcher who handles the pitching staff. Coaches say that Truett is always willing to compete and is a great teammate. From behind the dish she is the defensive backbone of the Lady Cougar defense. Abbey Strong (3B) is a terrific all-around player and can contribute in all aspects of the game. In 2021 she maintained a .400 batting average and was terrific in the infield primarily playing third base. Bradi Odom (P, So.) is a dual threat. She is a powerful hitter from the plate and batted at .380 last season and won 18 games while controlling the circle with pitching responsibilities. Coaches expect great things from Odom after a fantastic freshman season and they can’t wait to see how her career goes in Ada. Ariana Munoz (OF) can play all three positions in the outfield. She has a strong arm and is an effective pitcher as well. She secured four victories last season while in the circle. Munoz provides versatility to the Lady Cougars and will help her team in any way she can. Also look for Josie Morgan who is consistently making contributions on and off the field. “She never complains and is always a team player,” Strong said. “She participates in multiple school activities, and she makes her team better every day. The Lady Cougars will look to get off to a good start in August before ending the month with appearances in the Tishomingo and Roff tournaments.