The Trojans were still trying to come to grips with the loss of beloved coach Gary Blackmon, who had passed away the previous season, as well as adapting to the style of his replacement, Mickey Bridgers.

Friday night, the Trojans began their second year under Bridgers with a convincing 11-4 non-conference victory over Smithfield-Selma.

“There’s a better adjustment this year,” Bridgers said. “Last year, the girls had to get used to a new coach. No one knew what to expect from me, and I had to learn what to expect from them.”

That period of familiarity, along with the addition of eight new players to the roster, has given the Trojans hope for a better and more productive season.

Making the biggest impact in the season-opener for the Trojans was freshman shortstop Kristen Jernigan. Jernigan didn’t play like a freshman. She ignited the Trojans by reaching base four times, scoring twice while going 3-for-3 at the plate, with a double and three RBIs.

Also enjoying multiple-hit evenings were returnees Brooke Britt and Jessica Coats, both 2-for-3 in the 11-hit attack.

“I thought the girls played especially hard tonight,” Bridgers said. “I’m very pleased to win the opener, especially after losing three starters from last year.”

Returning for the Trojans, in addition to Britt and Coats are Mary Beth Raynor, Audrey Westbrook, Ashley Benson and Kathleen Johnson.

Newcomers, along with Jernigan, include Chrissy Boyer, Erica Dean, Teara Capps, Krystal Moore, Ashley Glover, Allison Barefoot, Cathryn Medlin and Jessica Stevens.

Capps hurled the victory for the Trojans, limiting the Spartans to six hits, struggling briefly in the fifth when SSS closed within 5-4 with a three-run rally.

That rally came on the strength of three consecutive one-out hits by Lindsey Johnson, Katie Byrd and Alli Parrish, all returners from a year ago.

Byrd paced the Spartans at the plate with a 3-for-4 day at the plate with two runs scored.

Other returners for the Spartans include Brittany Mitchell, Megan Cater, Jessica Thompson, Erin Schultze and Kasey Bell.

New to the Spartans’ varsity roster are Kaitlyn Kerstat, Allison Perry, Amber Driver, Kiara Creech and Alyssa Horne.

SSS, under the direction of Jill Munchick, surprised everyone last season by advancing to the second round of the NCHSAA 4-A playoffs before being eliminated 4-1 by Chapel Hill.

The Spartans, who return eight players from last year’s team, have gotten off to a rough start this season, dropping both contests.

North Johnston took a frigid, abbreviated 7-0 victory from the Spartans Wednesday night.

South jumped to a 3-0 second- inning lead on doubles by Jernigan and Benson, and built the margin to 5-0 in the third on two throwing errors by the Spartans and an RBI-single by Jernigan.

After the Spartans closed within 5-4, Jernigan gave the Trojans a 6-4 lead with an RBI-single, driving in Westbrook.The score moved to 7-4 when Coats, who had singled then advanced on Jernigan’s hit, scored when Benson was hit with the bases loaded.

South then put the game away in the sixth with a four-run rally.

“This is a big win for us,” Bridgers said. “But we’re only taking it one game at a time.”