As a coach who wears many hats, Dallas County’s Willie Moore transitions from the basketball court to the softball field in the span of one weekend each year. 

This year is no different, as Moore is back in softball mode and ready to see what his team can do. Unfortunately, the weather hasn’t cooperated.

“With basketball with rain you can still play or practice, but with softball and baseball you’re at the mercy of the weather,” he said.

Dallas County has played only one of its scheduled games and had its fifth game postponed against Selma Thursday because of incoming rain. The weather, coupled with a roster laced with inexperienced players, has made the transition from the hard court to the softball field even more challenging this year.

“It a lot more difficult because the previous two years we’ve always had a good core of seniors returning,” Moore said. “This year we only have four or five girls that have played in a varsity game before.”

There isn’t a single senior on this year’s Dallas County roster and only three juniors. Only junior pitcher Tori Hatfield, sophomore first baseman Yazmeen Green and third baseman Taylor Moore are experienced returning players.

Moore said the Hornets are relying heavily on Hatfield, who has dozens of innings of experience behind her.

“The best thing about our team right now is our pitcher,” Moore said. “She’s started a lot of games over the course of three years. She’s the most experienced pitcher we have.”

Despite all the inexperience, there’s a lot for Dallas County to build on. The Hornets won their one game of the season in blowout fashion 15-0 over Francis Marion and play in a region that Moore said gives them plenty of chances to advance to regionals.

“This year we feel confident that we should be able to get to a regional,” Moore said.

“It’s sad because the two previous teams [we had] were better than what we are right now but they played in a tougher area [and didn’t advance that far]. It’s the luck of the draw of who you have to play against.”

Dallas County’s next scheduled game is Friday at Maplesville.