By BRAD HURT ~ DAR Sports Writer

When the Ozark Foothills Conference softball tournament gets underway Monday at Three Rivers' Rains Field, there is no telling what may happen.

With rain wiping out a good portion of the season, teams enter the tournament with little in the way of actual game experience. That could be a factor, especially in the first round, as opponents may face each other for the first time since last fall.

"This spring has been a washout," Naylor coach Gene Deckard said. "It's hard to say how anybody is playing."

Despite winning the regular-season title, the Lady Eagles own the No. 2 seed behind two-time defending tournament champion Twin Rivers.

"That tells you how tough the conference is," Deckard said.

Twin Rivers has been dominant this spring, using the pitching of Carlee Vancil and defense to build a successful season. Now the Lady Royals have the opportunity to claim their third consecutive conference title.

"Our defense is there, and I see the confidence is there," Twin Rivers coach Barb Cunningham said. "We need to come out hitting, and we've been working on our hitting."

The Lady Royals have extra motivation for winning the tournament after a disappointing finish in the district tournament last fall, where they lost to East Carter in the final. The No. 5 seed Lady Redbirds are a possible semifinal opponent for the Lady Royals.

The teams have not met since that tournament as both of their regular season matchups were postponed by inclement weather.

"We are looking forward to it," said Cunningham, whose team has a first-round bye. "Both (Greenville and East Carter) are good teams."

Cunningham said her team's offense is improving. The Lady Royals struggled against East Carter freshman Mariah Randazzo in a 1-0 loss in the district final. They are coming off a 6-2 win over Dexter on Tuesday in which they collected eight hits.

Senior Kelci Scott in particular is currently putting up good numbers.

"Kelci Scott is on a streak," Cunningham said. "It's always been there; since the beginning of the spring she's been consistent."

Weather and other factors have had a great impact on the Lady Redbirds, who have played only four games this season between rain and school trips.

"It's probably going to be pretty difficult," coach Angie Bowman said of her team's chances of advancing through the tournament.

"We're used to playing everyday, and now we're a little rusty because we can't get in a game."

The coaches agree that pitching will be the key in shaping the tournament. The conference includes several pitchers who can take over a game. Carlee Vancil of Twin Rivers owns several no-hitters while Naylor's Chelsea Lane and Neelyville's Libby Parish have also had stellar seasons.

Doniphan's Marybeth Cosgrove has been an important part of her team while Sara Condray of Greenville and Randazzo are also capable of big performances.

"Dominant pitching will come to the forefront," Deckard said. "Condray is capable of putting a good game together."

Greenville coach Dennis Jeffries said Condray holds the Lady Bears' tournament success in her hands.

"We'll go as far as her arm will take us," he said.

The Lady Bears' offense has also been hot lately. They accumulated 29 runs and 15 hits in a win Tuesday over Puxico.

Shortstop Tara Porter anchors the lineup and provides the team with RBIs in key situations.

"Offensively, we're not too worried," Jeffries said.

Randazzo's poise, particularly against Twin Rivers in the district final, was a major reason the Lady Redbirds captured that title.

Said Bowman, "Hopefully, (Randazzo) will be excited and do the same things this time."