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Lady Wolves hope for sophomore leadership in 2017
WESSON – Entering his 15th year as head coach, Allen Kent hopes to build on his very successful 2016 campaign, which ended with a 29-14 overall record, a 19-9 MACJC record, and a trip to the playoffs. The Lady Wolves racked up 12 sweeps over the year and hit a staggering 57 homeruns. In 2017, Kent looks to implement a different form of play with this season’s roster.
“I think we will move runners with more of a small ball style,” said Kent. “We still have some power hitters, but we have to have players get on base first.”
With an athletic, quick team, the Lady Wolves hope to get on base early and set up opportunities for the power players that are not as predominate this season. This plan promises a 2017 Co-Lin softball season that will be fast-paced, energetic, and extremely exciting to watch.
In the infield, the Lady Wolves return Dianna Hobgood, of Columbia, Miss., at first base. Hobgood finished 2016 with a .442 batting average and an outstanding .808 slugging percentage. Hobgood hit 10 homeruns last season and will likely be the Lady Wolves key power hitter. Mackenzie Byrd, a Greene County High School graduate, returns for her sophomore campaign and looks to fill an infield role. Byrd saw action in 42 of 43 games in 2016. Jamie Martin also returns and is expected to be the Lady Wolves’ designated player. Joining Co-Lin in the infield are several freshmen. Alex Anthony of Kokomo, Miss. hopes to see action at shortstop, while Kinley Westerfield, of Pelahatchie, Miss., and Logan Deroche, of Houma, La., will battle for a starting role at second base. Both Deroche and Westerfield provide the Lady Wolves with speed and are slap hitters at the plate. Alexundria Thomas, a Byram, Miss. native, is expected to also see the field in an infield role. Taylor Bryant comes to Co-Lin via Magee, Miss., and has shown great improvements since August. She is likely to help the Lady Wolves at the plate. The Lady Wolves lost Brittany Barbay to graduation after she signed with LSU-Alexandria.
In the outfield, Kamryn Vanlandingham was a key player in 2016 and saw the field in all 43 games. As a sophomore, she hopes to lead the team from center field. Vanlandingham led the Lady Wolves in runs scored, with 47 last season, and posted a .383 batting average. She also led the team with 18 stolen bases. Kayla Britt, of Wesson, Miss., is a strong utility player who earned an abundance of experience in the outfield last season. Britt is expected to provide sophomore leadership in the field, and at the plate in 2017. Allison Livingston is joining the Lady Wolves as a freshman after graduating from Brookhaven Academy. Livingston is a utility player who could see time anywhere on the field for Co-Lin in 2017. The outfield roles could change throughout the season as Kent looks to optimize his lineup. Co-Lin lost outfielders Greta Carley and Mattie Avants to graduation.
Freshmen Alexsundria Thomas of Byrum, Miss. and Autumn Mize of Philadelphia, Miss., have been working hard for the Lady Wolves at catcher. Vanlandingham, who gained experience behind the plate last season, will also see action when not filling an outfield role. The Lady Wolves lost NJCAA Second Team All-American, MACJC Player of the Year, Co-Lin career homerun leader, and Alcorn State signee, Jessica Crum to graduation.
The Lady Wolves pitching staff is young in 2017, composed of only freshmen, but the players are all coming off stellar high school careers and fall seasons. Christian Black, a Bogue Chitto High School graduate, looks to carry momentum from a great Fall season into the regular season. Black is a hard throwing pitcher who has the ability to blow by batters. Joining Black is Silsbee, Texas native Bailey Root. Root is another hard thrower who adds depth to pitching staff. Elizabeth Smith of Monticello, Miss., joins the Lady Wolves pitching staff to provide a change of pace. Smith threw several good innings in the fall season and can spin the ball really well. All three freshmen were heavily recruited high school products that have tremendous experience. Co-Lin lost pitchers Katilyn Taylor and Kamry Creel to graduation.
Four former Lady Wolves will suit for four-year schools in 2017. Brooke Laigast and Savannah Johnston, a former infield duo for Co-Lin, will play their senior seasons at Belhaven University. Standout power hitter Jessica Crum will begin her junior season in 2017 at Alcorn State University, while Brittany Barbay will fill an infield role at LSU-Alexandria her junior season.
Head coach Allen Kent and assistant Jackie Johnson have high hopes for the Lady Wolves as they prepare for 2017.
“We definitely have the goal of making a playoff run,” said Kent. “We are going to need our sophomores to continue to be vocal leaders on and off the field. If we can do that, a lot of great things will happen with this team.” Kent is no stranger to winning as he has accumulated a 348-199 overall record at Co-Lin. Kent hopes to continue this trend as he builds elite teams year in and year out.
With a core group of sophomores in the field, a young, but experienced pitching staff, and a quick style of play, the Lady Wolves are poised for yet another successful season in 2017.
