| |
[] Four Lady Indians invited to play in all-star game (11/1/2009)
Two Pontotoc county natives are among the four Lady Indian softball standouts from Itawamba Community College to be invited to participate in this weekend's Domino's Mississippi JUCO All-Star Showcase. First-team all-Region 23 and MACJC All-State selection CeCee Austin and Heather Whitworth, who made the all-north division second team a year ago, are both from Randolph and played high school ball at South Pontotoc.
Austin picked up where she left off in high school by breaking the College's record for home runs (15) and runs batted in (70) in a season, while hitting a team best .450 and led Itawamba in batting with runners in scoring position (.514), doubles (14), triples (3) and slugging percentage (.881). Whitworth hit .369, which was third best on the team among those had more than 20 at bats on the season. The sophomore designated hitter was third on the team in runs batted in (28), hits (41) and doubles (8).
Catcher Cyndal Cleveland of Mantachie, who hit .337 and drove in 27 last spring along with Bruce's Jayla Hubbard, an outfielder, who was second on the team with 10 doubles a season ago, while sporting a .430 slugging percentage, were also invited to play in this first-ever event to be played Saturday at Freedom Ridge Park in Jackson and hosted by Belhaven College.
|
| |
[] ICC softball off to great fall start (9/12/2009)
Itawamba Community College opened its fall softball season by winning two and tying one game at the Northeast Tournament. The Lady Indians tied Freed-Hardeman University 5-5 in the opener, then defeated the University of West Alabama, 8-3, and Northwest Shoals, 6-3.
All-State and all-Region 23 performer a year ago, CeCee Austin of South Pontotoc, led the offensive assault for ICC with six hits in 12 at bats, including a home run against the four year school, Freed-Hardeman. Former West Union standout Anna Taylor homered against Northwest Shoals. Tupelo's Ashley Case had a pair of doubles on the day, while Lara Andrews of New Zealand went 4-12 at the plate with two doubles, as well.
Lady Indian freshman Chelsea Lukens of Saltillo struck out five and picked up the win against West Alabama. Another freshman, Laura Mitchell of Mooreville, was the winning pitcher against Northwest Shoals. Yet another freshman, Rebecca Rogers of Amory, pitched well against Freed Hardeman as the Lady Indians led the whole game before an error in the final inning allowed the tying run to score.
"I thought all three pitchers looked good for their first college appearance," said ICC third year head coach Chad Case on his trio of freshmen, who all threw complete games. "Our freshmen also showed a lot of poise and maturity. Although we still have a ton of work to do and a lot of loose ends to tie up, this year's squad should be exciting to watch."
Case, who has led Itawamba to back to back appearances in the post-season in his first two seasons at the helm of the program, added his squad will participate in three more fall tournaments. In additon, the annual Red-Blue Series will be hosted by Smithville and Hamilton High Schools on October 8 and 9 with doubleheaders each of those days, with the fifth game scheduled for October 10 at ICC's softball field.
|
