No. 6 Lady Bulldogs ready to defend titles

Mississippi Gulf Coast softball won state and region championships last year, but coach Kenneth Long thinks the 2016 version has a chance to be better.

"I think we're going to compete and do well," he said. "I think if we come together as a team, we've got a shot at being really good."

The Lady Bulldogs finished ninth at the NJCAA Division II national tournament after a 46-13 campaign. They are picked to finish second in Region 23 by fellow coaches, and are ranked sixth in the NJCAA preseason poll.

Gulf Coast, which starts its season Feb. 2 at Faulkner State, will rely heavily on the right arm of Kaitlin Lee, who went 20-4 last season with three saves and a 1.79 ERA. That arm has earned her a scholarship at Ole Miss, which clocked her fastball at 64 mph.

"I think she's improved because she's worked harder on certain pitches and her control," Long said. "Her speed is improved because of her hard work in the weight room. She's throwing much harder than she was last year."

Freshman Nora Keehn, from Mandeville, will also get a lot of work in the circle, as will sophomore riseball pitcher Kristen Gardner (4-1), who struck out 50 batters in 44 IP.

Brittany Cooley (.325, 4 HR, 31 RBI) got most of the work behind the plate last year, but Long is looking to split the duties this year with freshman Izzy Werdann.

"Last year, Cooley had to catch just about the whole year," Long said. "We felt like it wore her down a little bit. She's a great catcher, but Izzy will probably rotate."

Cooley will play first when not pitching, and Werdann will play third.

Freshman Molly Murphy will bounce back and forth between those two spots, and sophomore Emmalee Roberts (.267, 5 RBI) will get playing time at third.

Long said shortstop Alyssa Hardy (.328, 2 HR, 18 RBI) has improved from last year, and she'll work up the middle with Mississippi State transfer Demi Blaker and freshman Lexie Mathis. Blaker has been battling injuries, which has moved Mathis in from the outfield for the time being.

Hannah Melendrez (.291, 39 RBI) led the team with 12 home runs and returns in center field. Deborah Elmore (.378, 6 HR, 48 RBI) led the team in hitting last year and returns in right field.

Sophomores Jennifer Walker and Tabitha Johnson are expected to play left field.

"Our defense was so good last year," Long said, "but I think we have an opportunity to be even better this year once we get a couple of injuries behind us."

Camry Griffith, a left-handed slap hitter who can play second and the outfield, had shin surgery in January and is rehabilitating. Kelli Berry will make a tall target at first at 5-foot-11.

"Our hitting is going to be better this year, all throughout the lineup," Long said. "We've got more speed, and we might hit a few more home runs."

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