MGCCC softball ready to defend Region 23 crown

MGCCC pitcher Brittany Fields (foreground) and her MGCCC teammates stretch their arms they get ready for the 2010 season.

Courtney Fairley makes a throw during a recent practice.

PERKINSTON---This season Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College softball coach Kenneth Long will have a good time filling out his lineup card when the Lady Bulldogs take the field.

That’s because for the first time in several years his team is full of players that can perform at several different positions on the diamond.

“This season we’ve got five quality pitchers and depth at every position,” said Long, who’s entering his ninth season as the team’s head coach (265-82 career record at Gulf Coast).

Gulf Coast is coming off a very successful 2009 season that included winning a Region 23 title and going to the NJCAA National Tournament for the second time in three years.

“We’re excited about the talent on the team,” he added. “Having talent doesn’t mean you’re going to win, but we’ve got good players. If we can stick together we can be good.”

The Lady Bulldogs are a mix of 11 freshmen and 10 sophomores, including Megan Colvin, who earned the Defensive Most Valuable Player Award at the NJCAA Tournament. The Stone County native hit .432 with five homers in 2009. She’s joined by sophomores Cassie Slaton of Ocean Springs (.373 batting avg.), lead-off hitter Tiffany Fuller of Warren Central (.316 batting avg.) power-hitting catcher Sarah Smaltz (.360 batting avg., 13 HR in 2009) and shortstop Julie Mercer from Sugarland, TX (.328 batting avg.), and pitcher Brittany Fields of Lucedale (13-4, 2.87 ERA in 2009).

Long, the reigning Region 23 Coach of the Year, is also excited about his incoming freshmen class. It’s highlighted by pitcher Linsey Dickerson (East Central), who was last season’s Mississippi Player of the Year. She’s joined by former Stone teammate Courtney Fairley, Bailey Babin (Long Beach), Taylor Brian (Harrison Central), Amber Carpenter (George County), Kayla Herbert (Pascagoula), Maddi Tibilier (Ocean Springs), Leslie Williams (St. Martin), and Lauren Bates (Sugarland, TX.).

“We’re already a close-knit group,” said sophomore outfielder Tiffany Fuller. “If someone needs something we’re there to help. That unity should carry over onto the field.”

The Lady Bulldogs open the 2010 season Feb. 9 on the road at Itawamba.