2010

JUCO S

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g title run have shown that you can come up here and do well. Now you never know how strong other states are going to be from year to ~ear, but we hope those past successes can carry over for us this year."

ECCC c-e -o Mot t in Di national to .rnev By Jamie Wac ht er The East Cen rral C:O~r.=::::::y .... "--""6"" ball team under<:tood b even before 1ts run to the~·~·~ ..... national tournament. The Warriors 1 first inkling that they could tiD

'We know that·in this 16-team, double– elimination tournament that we are going to have to get big innings from both of them to be successful," he said. That pitching combination has been suc– cessful all year, even when East Central's offense, which has shown the ability to be explosive, has cooled off against tougher pitching. The key, though, Hill said has beer the Warriors' ability to still get big hits. Buckley leads East Central, offens ively, with a .469 average, 53 runs and is second with 4'i RBis. Former Leake Academy standout Hannah Lee leads East Central with 47 RBis along with 12 home runs and a.447 average. Hailey Chisolm, of Neshoba Central, has hit .389 with 46 runs and 46 RBis. "As we went into division we were an explosive team on offense," Hill said. "But as the games got tougher, we still got key hits in crucial situations- big two-out hits- and were still able to have some big innings. ''But the biggest thing was the pitching and defense has been really good. We just gave up five runs in three games at the regionals." Mort will also be making its first trip to th• nationals and the Bears are led by Bridget Miller with a .436 average, 21 RBis and 25 runs.

One thing that has carried the Warriors through their 44-9 season has been stellar p'tching. Freshman Taylor Bailey has led EC C C witft a 25-6 mark and has posted a 1. 78 ElL-\. Still, what bas impressed Hill most a -t Bailey and fellow freshman Kasie Buckley. a former Newton County standout, has been their competitiveness, especially in aucial situations. "We talk about that every time we take the d that we feel like no matter which one is tching, they are going to give us a chance ~Y time out," Hill said. "Our defense ... they are going to get groundballs and e them a chance and they are both just so petitive. "They are not necessarily competitive with each other. They just both want to do well to get the job done. And both have done gr job thi" year of when runners got on strand the. They really, really rose to the occa-ion. Buckley bas posted a 16-2 mark and a 2.68 ERA. Her presence as the Warriors' No. 2 is Dotber rea on Hill is optimistic about the l\arriors chances this weekend.

be playing today against Mort (Mich.) Communicy Co11ege at 10 a.m. in Normal, 111., came during the rugged MACJC South Dhi–

sion slate, at least for coach Scott H "As you go along in the South D ... our state, if you can get some big v. s. rea11y bodes well for what you can accom– plish even here at this tournament. Hill send Wednesday after East Central wrapped up i practice at Champion Fields. "Those teams

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