2015

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Three ECCC Softball Standouts Headed to Next Level

By: ECCC Media Relations Posted: Thu 3:52 PM, Nov 12, 2015

Three East Central Community College softball standouts signed National Letters of Intent on Nov. 11 to continue their careers at NCAA Division I universities next fall. Caitlyn Aldous, a sophomore outfielder from Petal High School £3', signed to play for the University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles. Mahalia Gibson, a sophomore first baseman from Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg, signed to play for the Southeastern Louisiana University r1' Lady Lions in Hammond, La. Sophomore pitcher Lacey Hill, a product of Kilbourne (La.) High School, also signed to play for Southeastern Louisiana University next year. All three Lady Warrior softball players were part of the record-setting East Central Community College softball team that advanced r1' to the championship game of the 2015 National Junior College Athletic Association Division II Softball National Championship. The second-place finish in the nation is the highest– ever for the Decatur college's softball program. The Lady Warriors ended their season with a 48-14 record and also finished second in the South Division of Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges league play, second in the MACJC State Tournament, and runner-up in the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament. Aldous hit .326 for East Central last season, including second on the team in hits with 62 and tied for second in doubles with 13. She struck out just four times in 190 plate r1' appearances. Gibson batted .406 during the 2015 season with 80 hits, including 24 doubles and 52 RBis, all team bests. She tied for the team lead in home r1' runs with 11. She was named NJCAA Division II Softball First Team All-American, NJCAA Division II Softball National Championship All-Tournament Team, NJCAA All-Region 23 Team, and MACJC First Team All-State. Hill was 25-9 on the mound for the Lady Warriors, with a 2.4 earned run average and 172 strikeouts in 215 innings pitched. She was named to the NJCAA Division II Softball National Championship All-Tournament Team and NJCAAAll-Region 23 Team following the 2015 season.

East Central softball is led by Head Coach Kristin Chaney and Assistant Coach Courtney Nunn

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