After reaching the Class 5A state finals a year ago, the Pope High School softball team is aiming high again.
The Lady Greyhounds, ranked No. 2 in the Score Atlanta preseason poll, have begun the 2013 with a 5-1 record, including a 3-2 season-opening win last week over Harrison, ranked No. 7 in Class 6A, in the Kell Invitational.
Pope, which is led by sixth-year coach Chris Turco, also has wins over region and East Cobb rivals Walton (13-2) and Wheeler (9-0).
A number of key players from last season's state runner-up team are back for Pope, especially junior Kelly Barnhill, who was the Cobb pitcher of the year in 2012.
The Lady Greyhounds play at Cherokee on Tuesday, then settle in for three home games later this week: on Thursday vs. Kell (7 p.m.), and on Friday vs. Blessed Trinity (4 p.m.) and River Ridge (8 p.m.).
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