MCC Softball Looking For Success in 2015

From School Reports

The 2015 Meridian Community College softball season is just around the corner and the Lady Eagles are hoping to build off its improvement over the past two seasons where it secured the 2014 Region 23 Division I Championship under the direction of third-year head coach Faith Robinson. The Lady Eagles are entering the 2015 with high expectations as most programs, but the team will look for solid leadership from several returning sophomores.

“We will bring several different things to the table this season and this should be one of our strongest years,” Robinson said. “We will have some power in the lineup this season and plenty of speed at certain positions. We are excited about the season and we hope to be a strong competitor in our league.”

The Lady Eagles will be making the transition to the MACJC this season after spending last season as the lone Division I softball program in the state of Mississippi. MCC played a very grueling schedule in 2014 that produced an overall record of 10-35, but the Lady Eagles are hoping to make the slow turn back to the days of old. The MCC softball program has enjoyed a great deal of success over the past 20 years by winning numerous Region 23 Championships and securing a 1997 slow-pitch National Championship.

MCC will return several key sophomores this season and some of that experience will be among the pitching staff. Lyndsey Cannon (Sylva Bay Academy) will return to the mound this season for the Lady Eagles after logging a majority of the innings in 2014, while Shelby Perry (Sumrall High School) will also see action on the mound. Angel Thornton (Tylertown High School) and Zoie LaVergne (Crowley, LA) will look to make an immediate splash on the mound this as two freshman newcomers to the squad.

The experience factor will be showcased the most as MCC will return three infielders from 2014 and one key offensive weapon to the lineup. Chelsea Moore (Noxapater High School) will return as the designated hitter in the lineup and will see time as a utility defensive player.

Sophomore Megan McCullough (Warren Central) will draw plenty of starts at third base this season for MCC, while Paige Gibson (Calvary Christian) should see plenty of starts at the shortstop position for the Lady Eagles. Freshman Anna Lewis (Brandon High School) will begin the season at second base and should also see action behind the plate in 2015, while Cassi Dew (Wayne Academy) could also see time at second base for the Lady Eagles. Sophomore Montana Holyfield (Wayne County High School) will also return for the 2015 season and will see plenty of action at first base for the green and white.

The team will also return experience at catcher as sophomore Cheyenne Barefoot (Sumrall High School) will begin the season behind the plate and could also see action at shortstop. Freshman Lakan Guelker (Seminary High School) will also bid for time at catcher this season for MCC. The squad will also depend on leadership from a pair of returning outfielder’s this season. Victoria Lewis (Vicksburg High School) and Shelby Peavey ( Brookhaven High School) will look to provide that type of spark in the lineup this season.

The team will also see several players platoon the outfield this season and those include: Alexis Butler (Loyd Star High School), Keoceania Yarbrough (Louisville High School), Taylor Blevins (New Hope High School), Kennedy Cummings (Northeast Lauderdale High School), Breanna Ivey (Clarkdale High School), Heather Harwell (Clarkdale High School), Jenna Pigg ( Neshoba Central High School), and Josie Anderson (Houston High School).

MCC will open the 2015 season on the road at Bishop State Community College in Mobile, AL on February 11 and will play its first home games of the 2015 season February 20-21 by hosting the annual Rush Invitational Tournament. The Lady Eagles play all of its home games at Tommy McDonald Field which is located in Highland Park.