2008 MACJC State Region Tournament Schedule

Hinds softball wins Central division, to host state tournament
04/22/08 -  The Hinds Community College Lady Eagles have won the Central division for the regular season, thus earning the right to host the 2008 Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) state tournament.

The six-team state tournament will be played at Clinton High School starting on Thursday, April 24. Hinds will open play against Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College at 3 p.m. on Thursday.

The Lady Bulldogs of Gulf Coast are the South division runners-up. The Lady Eagles (31-16 overall, 13-3 in Central division play) have been successful this season due to steady performances in the circle and timely hitting. Brandi Westerfield of Richland, a freshman utility player, leads Hinds with a 15-8 record in the circle. The powerful righty has 2.18 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 151 innings pitched. Westerfield is battling for the team lead in wins with Taylor James of Madison.

The sophomore right-hander is 12-6 in the circle in 98 innings pitched. Hinds has been on an absolute tear at the plate and sport a blazing hot .357 team batting average.

The four leaders are all sophomores who gained valuable experience during their 2007 postseason run. Lauren Johnson of Vicksburg leads the team in average with a .458 mark. Johnson, an infielder, has 10 doubles, two home runs and 43 RBIs. She is trailed by Candace Pocorello of Pride, La., also a sophomore infielder, who is hitting .433 and has scored 44 runs on the season.

Mary Alice Roy of Pride, La., a steady sophomore shortstop, leads the team with 45 runs scored and sports a hefty .411 batting average.

Kala Griffith of Brandon is the final sophomore highlighted. The pre-season Division II All-American is living up to her billing, as she leads the Lady Eagles in at bats (149), is tied for the team lead in doubles (10) with Johnson and leads in triples (3). Griffith also leads the team and is among the nation’s leaders with 39 stolen bases in 41 attempts.