You can smell that fresh cut grass. You can hear round, lime-green balls soaring into gloves. You’ll hear the pop of a bat colliding with a fastball. You’ll listen to coaches yell and fans cheer. You’ll see the umpire calling out strikes and balls. You can hear chants from the dugouts.

Softball season is about to begin.

The Legacy softball team started practice Jan. 20 and has their first official game on Feb.16 at Legacy. Head softball Coach Amie Prater says this year’s team looks special despite only returning 11 varsity players from last year’s team.

“I think we will be very successful,” Coach Prater said. “We are extremely excited about this season and what we are capable of. If we can stay the course, maintain an all in mentality and continue to work hard, these young women can do big things.”

Prater believes pitching is key to success in softball, and Legacy happens to have two division one pitchers: junior Sophie Hannabas, aSoutheastern Louisiana commit, and sophomore Jaycee Cook, a Alabama-Birmingham commit.

“Pitching is just as important as any other spot on the field or in the dugout,” Sophie Hannabas said. “Everybody knows their role and what is expected of them because of our coaching staff.”

Last season’s softball team made it to the regional semifinals before losing to Frisco High School. The returning softball players expect to be back in the playoffs and will not be satisfied with their season unless they bring a state championship to Legacy.

“None of us were satisfied with how far we made it last year, but I expect us to be right back in the playoffs this year,” Hannabas said. “The team works hard every day, we give 100 percent every day, so we can be better. I mean last year, we just fell short, but this year I’m expecting to go all the way to state.”