MGCCC softball takes on East Miss. In MACJC State Tournament

Tiffany Fuller (25) scores against Southwest Apr. 20.

Lady Bulldogs finish regular season with sweep of Southwest

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College will try to win their second state fast pitch softball title in three years beginning this Friday at 6 p.m. when the Lady Bulldogs (21-9) take on East Mississippi (20-23, North No. 3 seed) in the first round of the MACJC State Tournament at Co-Lin Community College. Head coach Kenneth Long’s team is the No. 2 seed from the South in this weekend’s single elimination event. Gulf Coast won the 2007 MACJC State crown en route to a thrid place finish at the NJCAA National Tournament in Normal, Ill.

Gulf Coast finished off the 2009 regular season with a 4-2, 8-0 doubleheader sweep of Southwest Monday at Ross-Smith Field at Perk. The Lady Bulldogs celebrated Sophomore Day as pitcher Brandi Westerfield (9-4) won the first game in the circle and Holly Lawrence added three hits and ended the regular season with a team-leading .469 batting average. Brittany Fields (11-3) won the nightcap by striking out 10 in five innings of work, while catcher Sarah Smaltz blasted a walk-off grand slam to end the game, her team-leading 12th homer of the season. Lady Bulldog sophomores Rena Stringer, Lindsey Keyes, Brandi Westerfield, Susanna Teague, and Holly Lawrence were all honored before Monday’s doubleheader with Southwest.

If Gulf Coast defeats East Miss. Friday, the Lady Bulldogs would take on the East Central/Northwest winner Saturday at 2 p.m., with the winner of that contest advancing to the tournament finals at 4 p.m.

Pitching