2004

WEEK OF feb , C(

Hill Expects 'Scrappy' Lady Warrior softball squad to take field in 2004

A new ern in East Central will also be counted on to help the Communi!) College softball gets adjusted well to his style of coach- lead the Lady Warrior program to a underway Thul'\day. February 19 ing, which he said IS very basic m winning campaign. when first-}ear head coach Scott nature: "All three have had suc- Hillleads tus Lady Warriors against "Hard work and dedication ccssful high school careers and have Jones Count) Jun1or College in are the keys in just about everything shown the willingness to work Ellisville. one does. Our players understand hard," Hill stated. Hill said Smith H1ll. a former ECCC that to be successful they must work "brings versatility to the squad and Diamond Warrior who successfully really hard on a daily basis. J hope will be depended on heavily. She led baseball and slow-pitch softball that my style provides the type of also comes from a very g~od high teams at Philadelphia High School environment that will allow the school program." prior to joining the East Central team to be dedicated in reaching our Regarding Willis, Hill said staff, takes over for longtime coach goals for the season." she "is a very dependable player Mike Anderson who retired follow- The lone starter from last who will share duties on the infield ing the 2003 campaign. Anderson year's team is Krissi Harris, a prod- as well as behind the plate." had d1rected the Lady Warrior soft- uct ofNewton County lligh School. Hill described Moor~ as "a ball program since its inception in Hill said of his top very experienced player who does a 1992. returnee: "Krissi is a very versatile good job offensively as well as The new Lady Warrior player who will be asked to play a defensively. She played on some head mentor said he "eagerly antici- number of different roles. She can real good teams at Neshoba pates" the start of the 2004 fast- play both outfield and infield effec- Central." pitch campaign. especially with tively, while poSSibly being asked to Bender, Hill noted, "is a such a talented although young assume some pitching duties." very strong, athletic player who will squad. Other returning players are be jommg the team along with "I am very pleased with the first baseman Summer Ritchie. a Kristin Chaney after the conclusion young lad1es on this team. We are Lamar High School graduate, and of the Lady Warriors ' successful made up of mostly first-year play- third baseman Samantha Partridge, basketball season." ers, so I think there will be a learn- who halls from Noxapater. White, Hill added, has ing period to start the season. Once "Summer and Samantha shown "a real willingness to work we get a few games under our belts, have worked bard and we will look hard and improve her game in the I think we will be okay. Thus far, it for leadership from both of them." outfield." has been a real pleasure preparin~ Hill commented. Wolf, he commented, "bas for the upcoming season with these Hill welcomes 14 fresh- the ability to throw strikes and could young ladies on a daily basis," Hill men, who include outfielders Shelly log some iMings for us in the mid- said. Ferguson and Obrcisha Davis, mid- die ofthe diamond." And what kind of team can fans die infielders Kristin Chaney and Student assistants for the expect to see this season? Suzanne Chancy, and pitcher/out- 2004 Lady Warrior fast-pitch soft– "1 think the fans will be pleased by fielder Lauren Barrett, all ofNewton ball team are Ty Culpepper, A. what they see. We will be a very County; infielders Lindsey Bostick, Momit Abi Bell and Jonathan scrappy team, and one that will to Mandy Eakes and Jhaun Spamecht, Holland, all of Philadelphia; Lamar work very hard every time out. After all of Philadelphia; infielder/out- Mayo of Louisville; and Cortez playing a very difficult fall sched- fielder/pitcher Marley Smith of Washington of Jackson. ulc, which included teams such as Union; infielder Kristi Willis of IIill said he is ''most appre– Mississlppi State and Delta State, I Choctaw Central; infielder/catcher ciative" of the support he bas get the feeling that our players \vill Alana Moore of Neshoba Central. received thus far and invites every– ha\e a lf't of character and \\ill not mfielder Kotreece Bender of one to come to the games. 'ettle for med1ocnt)." Hill stated. Newton; outfielder Cry:.tal While of ··1 \\ant to thank all of the Hill sa1d the strength of Pelahatchie; and outfielder'pltcher folks who have helped us prepare this year's squad is probably the Lisa Wolf of Traverse City, for the upcoming season. 1 would____ defense. Michigan. really like to see the fans get behind "We have a chance to be a Hill said the group fl'om this team. I am very excited going---- good defens1ve squad. I don't think Newton County "brings a lot of tal- into this first season and so are the you \\ 1ll see us hitting the long ball ent to the team because of the sue- girls. This energy will be very evi----– all that often. but I think we will be cess they had in high school, win- dent to the fans and it should prove able to move numers a number of ning three fast-pitch state titles." to be a fun season," Hill said. - --- different ways," he said. The trio from Philadelphia Hill said his players have

APPEAF

LAKE M SCOTII UNION J. WINSTO ·SPIRIT C

IMPACT _______________________