Monday, November 16, 2009

PRCC softball coach White pleased with fall workouts

     POPLARVILLE - Pearl River Community College women’s softball coach Leigh White feels confident the talent is there for a successful 2010 season. The only issue now is consistency.
      "We have more talent this year than we had last year," said White. "We just have to figure out ways to be more consistent in what we are trying to do.
      Following six weeks of fall workouts and exhibition games, White said her seventh team at the school has its good points and bad points.
      "At times we played well and at times we did not," she said. "We’ve got nine players back from last year, including two red-shirts, so the nucleus is in place. We actually have more talent than we had last year. We just have to be more consistent in what we do."
      Last year’s Lady Wildcats finished 30-16 overall, coming in fourth in both the MACJC state and the Region 23 tournaments.
      They hit .345 has a team, including a record 28 home runs.
      Players who hit 22 of those 28 home runs return in 2010, including all-region shortstop Baleigh Volking, a sophomore from Enterprise. She hit .459 with six home runs. Said White, "She’s one of the top players in the state."
      Other top returnees with some power include outfielder Laurin Locke (.395, two home runs) of Petal and catcher Bethany Russell (.390, with nine home runs) of d’Iberville. Both were all-state players last season.
      Third baseman Mykeal Maes, a sophomore from Hancock, returns. She hit five home runs in 2009.
      "We got the hitters and the speed in the middle," said White. "Potentially, one through nine, we could have a lineup that will be productive through the season."
      Pitching is another strong point for this season. The reasons are returning sophomores Corinne Fraychineaud of Northshore in Slidell, La., and Katie Barrett of Bay High. Fraychineaud, a righthander, was 7-2 last season with a 2.70 earned-run-average.
      Barrett, a southpaw, was 10-6 with a 3.00 ERA. They combined to pitch 42 games last season.
      They will be joined by freshman Sheila Hall of Dutchtown (La.) High School.
      "I feel good about our pitching staff," said White. "Sheila will make us stronger at that position. To win in this league, you’ve got to have good pitching and your catcher has to be consistent. So we have the elements in place."
      Other sophomores coming back are outfielders Taryn Graham and Laken Taormina of Sumrall, and Kayla Barnes of d’Iberville, and infielders Kaci Mitchell of Petal and Megan Brooks of d’Iberville.
      Some freshmen White mentioned as being contributors this season are outfielders Brandy Rester of Poplarville, Lacey Freeman of Forrest County AHS and Blakely Faciane of Slidell, La., and infielders Jordan Adams of d’Iberville and Mallorie Mixon of Picayune. Other members of the team include catcher Brittney Gary of Slidell, La., and infielders Rebecca Herndon of FCAHS and Tiffany Reed of Picayune.
      "Last year, we had good leadership and played together," said White. "They always played hard. We lacked speed to move runners up, but we are improved in those areas."
      White expects another tough season in the South Division. "All of the teams in the South Division will be better," said White.
      The Lady Wildcats have 25 playing dates in the spring, most of them doubleheaders, starting Feb. 9 with home games against LSU-Eunice.
      Assisting White again this season is former PRCC All-American Megan Dawson.

Lee White’s record

Year      Won      Lost

2004      26      17

2005      19      14

2006      17      16

2007      25      31

2008      27      10

2009      30      16

Total      144      104