EMCC Lions set for road-heavy opening month of softball action
The East Mississippi Community College softball team is set to begin the 2024 season by taking on a road-heavy slate of action during the month of February.
SCOOBA – The East Mississippi Community College softball team is set to begin the 2024 season by taking on a road-heavy slate of action during the month of February.
After their scheduled season-opening Sand Mountain Classic in Albertville, Alabama was cancelled due to last week's rainy weather, the Lions are now slated to usher in their softball campaign this week in the state of Alabama with road doubleheaders against Northwest Shoals in Muscle Shoals on Thursday (Feb. 1) and two days later (Feb. 3) at Bevill State in Sumiton.
Prior to their scheduled home-opening rematch twin bill versus Bevill State in Scooba on Feb. 22, EMCC head coach Mackenzie Byrd's Lions are also scheduled to spend back-to-back Saturdays (Feb. 10 & 17) in Booneville competing in the Northeast Mississippi-hosted Coca-Cola Classic and TigerFest Tournament, respectively.
EMCC's February softball action is scheduled to continue on the road with a neutral-site doubleheader versus NJCAA Division II preseason 13th-ranked Spoon River (IL) on Feb. 23 in Senatobia. The Lions are then slated to close out non-conference play by making their third trip in a four-week span to Booneville to participate in the NEMCC-hosted Coach David Carnell Challenge on March 1, before they return home to play host to NAIA member William Woods University (MO) on March 7.
2024 EAST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE SOFTBALL SEASON PREVIEW
With a "stronger together" approach to the upcoming year, East Mississippi Community College's softball Lions are eager to display their collective new confidence under the guidance of second-year head coach Mackenzie Byrd.
More confident with a year of head coaching experience at the college level under her belt, Byrd's new point of view coincides with having had her interim tag removed following last year's rookie season at the Lions' softball helm. The former EMCC assistant coach was elevated to interim head coach status just prior to the start of last season. Byrd then earned the opportunity to step into the team's permanent role after guiding the Lions' 2023 squad to the program's winningest softball season in five years despite having to compete with a short-handed roster due to some unfortunate key injuries.
Also contributing to Byrd's increased level of confidence is the anticipation of the prospects for the upcoming softball season. A balanced roster consisting of seven returning players and six newcomers bonded extremely well during the fall, giving Byrd and first-year assistant coach Gage Billings another reason for optimism this coming spring.
"I put too much pressure on myself last year and felt like I had so much to prove," Byrd admitted. "My mindset going into the spring is completely different. My goal this year is to trust that we have done everything we need to in practice to prepare for games."
According to Byrd, the team's "lion pride" mentality of being stronger together was best displayed during the fall when the Lions took to the field defensively. EMCC's improved pitching tandem of sophomores Carys Goodwin (Corinth) and Lana Atkins (Millport, AL/South Lamar HS) greatly benefitted from how well the defense played behind them in the fall.
"I realize we struggled a little bit on the defensive side last year. The focus going into this spring season remains being able to take care of the ball," Byrd said. "Carys and Lana complement each other very well. I also expect some other players to step up in the circle as well."
EMCC's five returning position players all look to contend for starting roles heading into the spring season. Devyn DeBardelaben (Montgomery, AL/Macon East Academy) should divide time between catching duties and playing third base. Medical redshirt Jenna Kirkland (Greensburg, LA/Oak Forest Academy) looks to split time at the hot corner opposite returner Madalyn Dvorak (Caledonia) at first base. Fellow sophomore Layla Roper (New Site) figures into the middle infield equation that will rotate based on pitching needs. Another medical redshirt, Victoria Irby (West Lauderdale HS/Meridian), bids to challenge for playing time at a corner outfield position.
"I have full confidence in our sophomores being able to step up to challenge for significant playing time and to become leaders for us," Byrd noted.
As for the team's newcomers, the Lions' self-proclaimed "stronger together" mindset looks to be exemplified by the addition of identical twins Gail and Karen Wisher from Alma Bryant High School in Alabama. Both chosen to the Class 7A All-County team a year ago, the Wishers are highly skilled players who figure to make an immediate impact regardless of where they play in the field or where they bat in the lineup.
"The twins were great offensively in the fall and I think they will contribute significantly during the spring," Byrd said. "They're great together and they feed off each other on the field and in the dugout, which benefits the entire team because they're extremely competitive."
Other first-year players set to compete for playing time are Brianna Byrd (Petal), Madelyn Cornelius (Alcorn Central HS/Corinth), Morgan Mills (Nanih Waiya HS/Louisville) and Rachel Rommel (Poplar Bluff, MO/Malden HS).
"I definitely have higher expectations this year than I did last year, especially after watching how well we fought back and competed during the fall," Byrd added. "I love our team chemistry, and I really believe we'll be fun to watch this season."