LADY PANTHERS UP AREA RECORD TO 2-1

"On the whole, this is a very young team and they're only going to get better," noted Coach Ronnie Pannell after the Lady Panthers topped Cherokee 19-1 for their second area victory. "We only have three seniors but they are great leaders for the younger players. They lead both on and off the field. It's a great mix."

The second area win came a day after freshman Alex Lauderdale tossed a two-hitter and added two doubles and two RBI's to lead the Lady Panthers to an 11-1 home win over Cherokee. Four other Lady Panthers joined the hit parade: Natalie Rikard, Mallory Spurlock, Alisha Hovater and Leslie Taylor each had two hits. Leslie also had two RBI's. In the second game, the Lady Panthers set a school record by hitting two "out-of-the-park" home runs in the same game. Alex Lauderdale and eighth grader Mallory Spurlock hammered the homers.

Six of the top eight hitters from last season return: Alex Lauderdale (.473 ba; .549 obp), Haley Arnold (.340 ba; .533 obp), Mallory Spurlock (.338 ba; .459 obp; 12 rbi), Ann Marie Mitchell (.286 ba; .667 obp), Addison Pointer (.277 ba; .423 obp), and Leslie Taylor (.268 ba; .449 obp). In addition, last year's junior varsity team averaged 10.2 runs per game and all those players return as well. All three pitchers return this season with a year's experience under their belts although the oldest is only a sophomore.

A YOUNG BUT ENTHUSIASTIC SQUAD!

Coach Ronnie Pannell's Lady Panthers softball team remains one of the younger teams on campus with the majority of players in grades 8-10. With a year of experience under their belts and a lot of enthusiasm, they look forward to a strong showing this spring.

LADY PANTHERS SOFTBALL TEAM 2010

• Assistant Coaches: Mrs. Regina Rikard; Miss Ashley Atencio, Miss Allison Hunt.
• Managers: Laura Ann Waddell, Julianna Waynick.
• Senior members: Addison Pointer, Hallie Pointer, Catlyn Watkins.
• Junior member: Christa Brown.
• Sophomore members: Lauren Atchley, Joanie McCorkle, Natalie Rikard, Taylor Simpson.
• Freshmen members: Tiffany Allen, Haley Arnold, Hannah Balentine, Tristin Harmon, Addie Harrison, Alisha Hovater, Alex Lauderdale, Anne Marie Mitchell, Leslie Taylor.
• Eighth Grade members: Alyssa Greenwald, Mallory Spurlock, Hope Stanfield.
• Seventh Grade members: Katie Clemons, Sidney Harmon, Lydia Powers.