Coach Eugene Singletary’s Bainbridge High School Lady Cats softball team will open their 2012  season this weekend, when they compete in the Jordan High School Invitational Tournament, in Columbus, Ga.

The tournament began Friday and will conclude today.

The Lady Cats will travel to Cairo on Monday for their 4 p.m. regular season opener against the Cairo High School Syrupmaids.

Their home opener and Region 1-AAAAA opener will be Tuesday, at 4 p.m., against the Thomas County Central High School Lady Yellow Jackets.

Returning for the Lady Cats this season is senior pitcher Caitlin Cato, who won the “Iron Lady” Award for her strong pitching and dedication to the game last season.

When she is not on the mound, Cato will see duty in the infield and outfield.

Other senior leaders are outfielder Alisha Peterson, outfielder Destiné Salter and Morgan Powell, who will see action at first base and third base.

Among last year’s junior varsity players ready to contribute is junior infielder, outfielder and catcher Brittany Moore, who had the junior varsity’s highest batting average.

Junior pitcher, infielder and outfielder LaShea Williams, who won the best all-around junior varsity player award a year ago, is also ready to contribute on the varsity level this season.

Junior catcher, infielder and outfielder Megan Vaughn had the most RBIs for the junior varsity in 2011.

Other juniors ready to contribute are outfielder Anna Barber; pitcher, infielder and outfielder Caitlyn Dunlap; shortstop and third baseman Laura Griner; first baseman and catcher Lindsey Griner; and infielder and outfielder Morgan Phillips.

Pushing for playing time as sophomores will be pitcher and infielder Brooke Bates and pitcher, infielder and outfielder Maegan Harrison.

Singletary said he likes the  make-up of his 2012 team.

“We are young in certain areas,” he said. “We have one sophomore pitcher, one senior pitcher and one junior pitcher.

“We have a very tough schedule, probably the toughest we have ever faced, but we want to prepare for our new Region 1-AAAAA Tournament. The only way to do that is issue a strong challenge by playing only quality teams.

“The  Jordan Invitational this weekend should help our players evaluate their individual skills as a team and give them reference to work from in order to improve as a team as the  season goes on.

”We are a work in progress, but we have some quality players and just may have the most talent we have had in a few years.”