If they thought the path to the Class 3A state fastpitch softball championship game was an adventure last season, the North Pike Lady Jaguars are in for an undertaking this year.
North Pike head coach Sonya Wallace has assembled a more difficult non-district schedule to go along with the Lady Jaguars’ already tough Region 7-4A slate.
“I think we’re up for the challenge,” Wallace said. “We’ve set our expectations pretty high. Our girls are pretty competitive.”
Those added to this year’s North Pike schedule include defending Class 5A state champ Northwest Rankin, Class 3A St. Andrews and Class 6A powerhouse Clinton.
If that wasn’t enough, North Pike’s jump to Class 4A will include games against new district foes Lawrence County, Columbia and Port Gibson.
The Lady Jaguars’ 2009 season ended with a loss to Nettleton in the title game. If they are to make it back to the championship game this year, the lady Jaguars will need to depend on eight returning starters to lead the way.
Pitching will surely be the key for North Pike this season, and the Lady Jaguars are in good hands. Kelsey Lord, the team’s only senior, returns after going 9-4 with a 1.44 earned-run average last season. Brianna Brister, who notched a 14-5 mark with an 0.78 ERA in 2009, also returns.
“They were solid last season,” Wallace said. “With the experience we were able to gain last year, I’m expecting them to be even better this year.”
The young but experienced infield will include sophomore catcher Summer Brown, sophomore first baseman Shelby Abdul-Hadi, eighth-grade second baseman Lauren Wells, sophomore shortstop Alana Hopkins and sophomore third baseman Charneissa Gordon.
Last season, Brown came in as the Lady Jaguars’ starting catcher. In her first varsity season, Brown hit .361 as a freshman.
Wallace said Brown has gotten physically stronger since last season and is better at blocking pitches in the dirt and handling the pitching staff.
Abdul-Hadi hit just .216 last season, but was strong on defense. Wallace said Abdul-Hadi’s ability to scoop low throws out of the dirt saved the Lady Jaguars from allowing several big innings.
Despite being only an eighth-grader, Wells has a year of varsity experience under her belt. She hit .379 last season.
Hopkins makes the move from shortstop after playing the outfield in 2009. Wallace said the move will allow the Lady Jaguars to take advantage of her cannon arm. Hopkins hit .266 with a home run last season.
Gordon returns to the team after not playing last season. The sophomore is known for her defensive prowess and strong arm at the hot corner, Wallace said.
The outfield will be manned by freshman Rachel Kelly in left, freshman Savannah Johnston in center and a platoon of junior LeAnna Hill and sophomore Marissa Jenkins in right.
Kelly hit .317 as an eighth-grader in 2009, while displaying the speed that allowed her to beat out several bunt singles.
Johnston hit .382 last year, but will be best remembered by Wallace for her game-saving catch of a line drive in right-center against Newton County in the second round of the Class 3A state playoffs.
Hill, the Lady Jaguars’ only junior, will platoon in right field with Jenkins.
Last season, Hill hit .371, and is expected to once again be an offensive threat this year.
Jenkins returns after missing last season due to a torn ligament in her right knee.
Newcomers this season include freshman backup catcher/utility infielder Breanna McKenzie, freshman outfielder Savannah Welch and eighth-grade courtesy runners McKenzie Brock and Danaroye Parks.
Along with their already difficult schedule, the Lady Jaguars also will take on non-district opponents Pearl, Grenada, Oak Grove and Poplarville next week.
The week after, they will compete in a tournament March 19-20 against Louisiana-based schools such as Central, Barbe, West Feleciana and Springfield.
“It’s going to take a team effort (for a successful season),” Wallace said. “We’ll need consistent hitting and almost errorless defense to get back to the championship game again.”
