February 8, 2022
The East Central Community College Lady Warrior softball team is ready to take the field in 2022 and build on a 13-27, 11-17 record from a year ago.
The Lady Warriors will be led by eight returning sophomores including Madison Holton (Brandon), Drewnae Pickens (Gautier), Mattie Hodge (Laurel), Emily McDonald (Waynesboro), Lizzy Hollingsworth (Decatur), Anna Caime(Zachary, La.), Mary Moore Widemire (Hattiesburg), and Jayce Currie (West Monroe, La.).
Holton is ECCC's leading returning hitter as she posted a .340 batting average and drove in 10 RBIs despite only having 47 plate appearances. Hollingsworth followed with a .330 average and 17 runs driven in, along with a returning player-high four homers, while Hodge hammered in 18 runs on a .309 average with eight doubles. Widemire, Currie, Caime, and Pickens all saw action in the lineup and provide loads of depth, experience, and pop to the Lady Warrior batting order.
In the circle, Currie is the Lady Warriors leading returner having thrown 23.1 innings last season. During that stretch, she fanned 15 batters and posted a 1-1 record. Hodge also saw limited action pitching but looks to primarily be an outfielder in 2022.
The Lady Warriors have some new faces to tag along with Currie to handle pitching duties this season in Caroline Jackson (Philadelphia), Rae Rae Evans (Grayson, La.), and Makayla White (Vancleave). Along with bringing strong pitching abilities and different styles to the circle, Jackson, Evans, and White are versatile with the ability to play multiple infield positions as well which will allow the Lady Warriors to have a dynamic and always shifting lineup.
Other talented freshmen joining the Lady Warriors ranks in 2022 are Taylor Pittman (Waynesboro), Morgan Pruitt (Laurel), Addison Hardy (Batesville), Ndrah Tanksley(Philadelphia), Emmi Harkins (Carthage), Shante' Beaulieu (Philadelphia), M.P. Harrington (Brandon), and Meadow Villar (Dallas, Ga.). Each position player will play a pivotal role both offensively and defensively for the Lady Warriors as 19 total players are listed on the roster. The Lady Warriors look to improve their fielding percentage from last season while maintaining a strong presence in the batter's box with a proven ability to hit to all parts of the field.
Along with new players, the Lady Warriors will also have a new assistant coach joining third-year head coach Leigh White and second-year assistant Mahalia Gibson in Katelyn Gruich. Gruich, a Biloxi native, was a standout player at the University of South Alabama and has years of coaching experience, including a stint at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
With eight returning sophomores to lead the way paired with a talented, athletic group of freshman players who provide a lot of versatility throughout the lineup, both offensively and defensively, the Lady Warriors are set to shake up the MACCC in 2022.
