2014 Combined

more about each one as a person, and not just as a player," said Chaney, who garnered NJCM All American honors as a Lady Dia mond Warrior. "I also learned that players appreciate being cared about not only as an athlete but as a person in general." Chaney said she was pleased with the 2013 squad and its suc cess. "I feel like last year's squad met our expectations," Chaney said. "We had some bumps in the road but overall it was a good year. We made it to the semifinals of the state championship and lost a close contest to eventual cham pion (LSU-Eunice) in the region tournament. That is all I ask of my teams, is to have a chance to ·win at the end." Chaney feels this year's squad is also poised for success, espe cially following a productive fall campaign. wrhe fall season was a success because we got to know each other better," she said. "I was also able to notice our strengths and weaknesses and determine which player excels at different spots on the field or in the lineup. We worked extremely hard and got better throughout the fall." In describing the 2014 Lady Diamond Warriors, Chaney said a "winning attitude" and "competi tive spirit" are most applicable. "I like the fact that this team believes they can beat anybody," she said. "The players know what to expect from me and I know what to expect from them. We

ECCC Photo The 2014 softball coaching staff at East Central Community College includes, from left: Assistant coaches Courtney Nunn and Kacie Buckley and head coach Kristin Chaney. The Lady Warriors host East Mississippi today in a season-opening doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.

of Brookhaven and Karoline Hol sonback of South Lamar HS, Kennedy, Ala.; and pitcher/infielder Makayla Kelly, Nederland (fexas) High School. Fans who attend Lady Warrior home games will not only see another talented squad take the field, but will no doubt notice the many improvements at the softball complex. A new locker room is near completion, the brick wall around the concession stand was fenced in with raw iron for a more "professional" look, and a new Warrior head logo was con structed and placed on the conces sion stand facing the field. "I am very pleased with all the improvements," Chaney said. "When our new locker room is fin ished, I know our players will take pride in something being com pletely ours. The new facility will abo help in the recruiting process. All the improvements v.ill further enhance the look::. of the fielil." Plan:. are abo under wav to e\entually construct brick-bull pens on the home and visitor sides of the field. Serving on Coach Chaney's staff is second-year assistant Courtney Nunn and first-year vol unteer assistant Kacie Buckley, a former Lady Warrior standout. Student managers are Tanner Dalton and Hunter Luke, both of Nanih Waiya; and Kennan Hodges of Durant.

Region 23 and MACJC All-State honors and was recognized as an NJCM All-American nominee. She also received the Lady Dia mond Warriors' most valuable player award. The Neshoba Central High School product led the Lady Dia mond Warriors with a .397 batting average. She belted six home runs, seven triples, 12 doubles and was credited with 36 RBis. Other returnees and their respective high schools include infielder/pitcher Amber McB room, Brandon; infielders Lindsey Beard of Clarkdale and Haley Stephens of Union; outfielder Morgan Porter of Enterprise; and utility player Kaylin Hopkins of Louisville. Hopkins saw limited action at the plate but made lhe most of her eight appearances by collecting six hits for a .750 bat ting average. She also received the base stealing award in 2013. Another :.oph more is fir... t-) ear player Kendra Wibon. a pitcher from South Lamar High School in 11illport, Ala. Freshmen and their respective high schools include infielder/pitcher Megan Robinson, Nanih Waiya; Skyler Simmons, a product of Bob Jones High School in Madison, Ala.; utility players Mallory Tuner of West Lauderdale, Nikki Triplett of Forest, Anna Kathe}ine Nowell of Leake Academy, Christen Bem on

have energy every day and that is something I am huge on. Also, this team knows how to make improve ments without me saying a word.

I think that goes back to the fact that the sophomores who played for me last year know what I expect from them." She said the strength of this APPi .. tar < _e m bit:. co petith n~ ... ~. "l'obody on this team wants anybody to outdo them....which is CAR- a plus because that means they will do whatever it takes to make NEW sure they are better than the oppo sition," Chaney said. "Team speed S PIRI is also a strong point...and we should be able to score runs to MERll help our defense and pitching staff." The top returnee from last year

is first baseman 1'y Buckley of Philadelphia, who received All