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By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

The Troup Lady Tigers were happy to be back.

After missing two weeks because of a Covid-19 issue, Troup’s softball team returned to action on Wednesday with a road game at Brookstone.

The outcome wasn’t what Troup was hoping for, with an unbeaten Brookstone team taking a 10-1 victory, but the team was glad to be back on the field after the long absence.

“It felt good today,” said Ryan Simpson, Troup’s first-year head coach. “Of course I care if we win or lose, but opening back up, and being able to put stuff back together after 14 days, it felt good. The girls were excited to be back.”

Troup didn’t have much time to prepare for the game.

During the two-week break, the Lady Tigers not only couldn’t play a game, but they were also unable to practice.

Tuesday was the first day the players and coaches got together following the break, and one day later Troup was playing a game.

“We were just winging it today. We had different girls all over the place,” Simpson said. “It was our second day back. We didn’t really have anything to lose.”

One of those players who moved around was sophomore Kaleigh Rutland, who moved to shortstop and did an exceptional job.

“She showed out today,” Simpson said.

Catherine Smalley and Jennifer Albertson each had a hit for Troup, and Albertson scored her team’s lone run in the second inning to tie the score at 1-1. Albertson led off with a single, and she came around to score when Rutland reached on an error.

Brookstone reclaimed the lead with three runs in the third inning, and it pulled away from there.

Catherine Smalley got the start on the mound for Troup and pitched four innings, and Maggie McDonald threw the fifth inning.

Troup returns to action on Saturday in the Hope for a Day Classic at Callaway High.

Troup plays LaGrange at 11:45 a.m., and Callaway at 1:30 p.m.