MGCCC softball prepares for 2013 season

Sophomore Lea Kittrell was an MACJC All-State honoree in 2012.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College softball team is a little more than three weeks away from opening the 2013 campaign, and head coach Kenneth Long is hoping the lady Bulldogs can make an eighth straight trip to the post-season.

We have 16 freshmen on our current roster including two Sun Herald Players of the Year…outfielder Morgan Fairley from George County and infielder Dani Craft from D’Iberville,” Long said. “Both will contribute this season along with Shalaria Pickens (Wayne County), and sophomore Lea Kittrell, (2012 MACJC All-State). They will help our team compete at a championship level this season.”

Gulf Coast opens 2013 at the Chipola (FL) Tournament Feb. 8-9.

Meanwhile Long and his staff have signed four talented South Mississippi players for the 2014 season. They are:

Britney Butler (Forrest County): Britney is a six-time All-Area softball honoree, three-time golden glove award winner along with two Most Valuable Player awards. She earned a spot on the Hattiesburg American All-Area Team twice and is a Coca-Cola Scholar Athlete.

Reagan Prentiss (Greene County): Was an All-District honoree in 2012 and has also received many defensive awards.

Brooke Ladner (Picayune): Brooke is a two-time All-State honoree and a three-time All-District honoree. Ladner is also a two-time Defensive MVP.

Haley Peterson (Vancleave High School): In 2012 received the team’s MVP and Offensive Player of the Year Award and also made the All-District squad. In 2011 she was the team’s MVP on defense and in 2010 she earned the team’s Rookie of the Year award.