2010

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I I I 'Young' Warriors readyfor challenging campaign

Jeremy May, who played mul– tiple positions last season, is the only returnee earning post– season honors. A second-team All-State selection, the Newton County High School product batted .338 and collected 30 RBis. Other returnees are outfielder

from school reports

They arc young thus lacking in experience, but members of the 2010 East Central Commu– nity College baseball squad "have what it takes" to be suc– cessful , according to head coach Neal Holliman.

Ernie Triplett, left– handed pitcher Drew Wilson of Newton County, left-handed pitcher Austin Buchanan of Neshoba Central and catcher/out– fielder/first baseman Quin

"We have seven sophomores and 19 freshmen on this year's squad, but we feel good about our talent level and ability to compete at a high level," said the fourth-year head coach whose first Diamond Warrior

Coming Wednesday The season preview of the 2010 East Mississippi Commun1ty College Lions baseball team.

Stokes. Triplett and Stokes arc the remaining top sluggers from last year's 19-28 squad. Triplett batted .278 with 11 RBls and Stokes posted a .259 average and knocked in 27 runs. Wilson is the top returning hurler and posted a 3--2 record. Other sophomores are right– handed pitcher Allen Johnson and outfielder/infielder Andre Yates, transfers from Meridian Community College and Bossier Parrish (La.) Community Col– lege, respectively. Johnson is a Sec WAJUUORS on page B4--

ECCC PIIOTO

REACHING FOR A RETURN The East Central Community College baseball squad. opens its season next Tuesday against Marion (AI~:) Military at the Clark/Gay Baseball Complex on the Decatur campus. Team members include (front row, seated from left), manager Scott Ming, outfielder Darmaal Moore, infielder/catcher/outfielder Charles Hill, right-handed pitcher/infielder Tyler Dalton, outfielder Jarrod Myers, outfielder/second baseman Kevin Harris of Newton, catcher/infielder/outfielder Jeremy May of Newton County, left-handed pitcher Bobby Bryan, and managers Brad Horn and Bryce Branning of Meridian; (second row, from left}, assistant · coaches Hunter Vick and Michael Avalon, right-handed pitcher Barry Meeks, third-baseman Vincent . Kortbawi, left· handed pitcher Willard Bacon of Choctaw Central, outfielder/first baseman Ricardo Velez, first baseman Richie Long, left-handed pitcher Colton Mitchell, middle infielder Blake Lawson, outfielder/ infielder/right-handed pitcher Donnie Tabb of Neshoba Central, student assistant Gallop Hampton . and head coach Neal Holliman; and (third row, from left) outfielder/infielder Andre Yates, left-handed pitcher/ outfielder Ernie Triplett, catcher/ outfielder/first baseman Quin Stokes, left-handed pitcher/outfielderPervis Mann, outfielder Tyler Robinson of Newton County, left-handed pitcher Austin Buchanan of Neshoba Central, outfielder Tyler Neal, right-handed p'itcher Cal Cossich, right-handed pitcher Joel McKee of Nashoba Central, and right-handed pitcher Allen Johnson of Leake Academy "- z 0:: - z 0 w 0:: ~ a.. a.. < < :::> 0 ~ z 0 :!E en (!) (.) LL Z < z 0 < J: 0 1-- 0 1-- 1-- - - 0:: 3: a:: a:: < w a: w u z en :iE

squad captured a state champi– onship. "But what I like most about this team, is that the players work well togethcr.and · are willing to sacrifice individual perfor mances and desires for the success of the team." The first challenge for the new campaign is scheduled Feb. 9, when the Diamond Warriors host Marion (Ala.) Military in doubleheader action beginning at 1 p.m. at the Clark/Gay Base– ball Complex. The first game is a nmc-mning battle and will be foi– Jowc·d by a sc•.vc·n·inning contest.