EMCC - Athletics: Sports, News, Players, and Coaches. Go Lions! - EMCC standouts collect MACJC All-North Division softball honors

SCOOBA – Headed by all-region performer Courtney Nunn, three East Mississippi softball players have been named to the 2010 MACJC All-North Division First and Second Teams, as voted on by the head softball coaches among the state’s junior colleges.

Having previously been selected to this year’s NJCAA All-Region 23 softball team, Nunn was joined on the MACJC All-North Division First Team by EMCC freshman outfielder and former New Hope High School standout DeShuni Sanders. Lady Lion freshman Mallory Pace, of Meridian’s Northeast Lauderdale High School, was voted to the second-team squad as a third baseman. In addition, EMCC sophomore Portia Randle (Starkville HS) along with freshmen Leigh Ellen “Hootie” Barefield (Neshoba Central HS) and Celeste Fontenot (Baton Rouge, La.) earned honorable mention recognition.

A sophomore from Jonesboro, La., Nunn was tabbed the North Division’s Best Defensive Player after compiling a 16-22 record in the circle this past year for head coach Kate Neely’s divisional runners-up and state tournament participants. The right-hander also posted a 3.30 earned run average with 217 strikeouts in 231.1 innings pitched on the season.

Sanders joined Nunn on the North Division’s first-team unit after leading the EMCC Lady Lions in batting average (.358), runs scored (37) and stolen bases (22 in 23 attempts) as a first-year performer. The speedy freshman also had nine assists from her starting center field position.

Pace, who split time playing third base, shortstop and catcher as a freshman, ranked second on EMCC’s 2010 club in batting average (.329) and runs batted in (23). The versatile utility player also fielded at a respectable .962 clip on the year.

Itawamba’s CeCee Austin was voted the MVP of the MACJC’s North Division, while North Coach of the Year honors went to Chad Case of the division-winning ICC Lady Indians. Northwest Mississippi second baseman Haylei Plummer earned Best Offensive Player laurels for the North Division.