Four Copiah standouts sign with Co-Lin
Seated from left are Co-Lin signees from Copiah Academy: Elizabeth Cliburn, Meghan Johnson, Kacie Berry and Morgan Brown. Shown with the athletes are Co-Lin head softball coach Allen Kent, left and Copiah softball coach Terry Bauer.
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Courtesy of The Copiah County Courier
Copiah Lincoln Community College head softball coach Allen Kent announced the signing of four Copiah Academy standout players on Tuesday. Pitcher Meghan Johnson, catcher Kacie Berry and outfielders Elizabeth Cliburn and Morgan Brown round out the quartet joining the Lady Wolves.
"I've been watching these players for many years now, and we're glad they've decided to be a part of our program. Not only have they enjoyed success in school ball, they've continued to improve with travel ball, as well," Kent said.
The players were part of this past season's AAA state championship team.
Johnson was 19-4 with a save in 2011. Her 1.88 ERA led the team. In 130 innings pitched, she gave up only 108 hits, 60 runs and 37 walks. She struck out 56 and gave up no home runs. She allowed opponents a meager .214 batting average. At the plate Johnson hit .374 with 10 doubles and 2 triples while driving in 35 runs. "Meghan has several pitches in her arsenal that are very effective against good opponents. She is a welcome addition to our pitching staff. And, she fields her position well," Kent stated.
Berry hit .362 and finished with 12 doubles and 23 RBI's. In the field she had 20 assists and a .971 fielding percentage. "(Kacie) is athletic, has a strong arm and handles the catching duties very well. We are looking for her to possibly call many of the pitches. At the plate, we know she is capable of putting up good offensive numbers, too," Kent said.
Cliburn batted .381 in an injury-limited senior season. "When she's healthy, she's really a tough out," Kent said.
Brown blistered the ball with a .407 batting average in 2011. She hit safely 55 times and drove in 24 runs. At centerfield, she garnered 38 put outs, 7 assists and a .957 fielding average. "Morgan is another slapper with great speed. She moved to the left side of the plate last summer and made a nice transition," Kent noted.
Kent is entering his tenth season as head coach of the Lady Wolves. His squads have earned playoff berths in 7 seasons and have been ranked nationally for 8 years. Kent has coached three teams to state titles and has earned 2 region titles. In 2006, the Lady Wolves roared to a third place finish in the National Tournament, with the help of three former Lady Colonels–Jackie Stowe Johnson, Holly Pyles Bridges and Annie Selman Delaughter. In 2008, the Lady Wolves earned national runners-up, the highest by any Co-Lin team in any sport in school history.
"We are excited to have these players join our program. We've had good success with Copiah grads in the past and feel like we'll continue that with this bunch," Kent said.
The Lady Colonels are coached by Terry Bauer, who has won two state state championships (2004, 2011) in softball one (2011) in baseball.
Johnson is the daughter of Bruce and Selena Johnson of Crystal Springs. Cliburn is the daughter of Steven and Stephanie Cliburn of Hazlehurst. Brown is the daughter of Michael and Stacy Brown of Byram. Berry is the daughter of Jeff and Tracy Berry of Hazlehurst.
"I've been watching these players for many years now, and we're glad they've decided to be a part of our program. Not only have they enjoyed success in school ball, they've continued to improve with travel ball, as well," Kent said.
The players were part of this past season's AAA state championship team.
Johnson was 19-4 with a save in 2011. Her 1.88 ERA led the team. In 130 innings pitched, she gave up only 108 hits, 60 runs and 37 walks. She struck out 56 and gave up no home runs. She allowed opponents a meager .214 batting average. At the plate Johnson hit .374 with 10 doubles and 2 triples while driving in 35 runs. "Meghan has several pitches in her arsenal that are very effective against good opponents. She is a welcome addition to our pitching staff. And, she fields her position well," Kent stated.
Berry hit .362 and finished with 12 doubles and 23 RBI's. In the field she had 20 assists and a .971 fielding percentage. "(Kacie) is athletic, has a strong arm and handles the catching duties very well. We are looking for her to possibly call many of the pitches. At the plate, we know she is capable of putting up good offensive numbers, too," Kent said.
Cliburn batted .381 in an injury-limited senior season. "When she's healthy, she's really a tough out," Kent said.
Brown blistered the ball with a .407 batting average in 2011. She hit safely 55 times and drove in 24 runs. At centerfield, she garnered 38 put outs, 7 assists and a .957 fielding average. "Morgan is another slapper with great speed. She moved to the left side of the plate last summer and made a nice transition," Kent noted.
Kent is entering his tenth season as head coach of the Lady Wolves. His squads have earned playoff berths in 7 seasons and have been ranked nationally for 8 years. Kent has coached three teams to state titles and has earned 2 region titles. In 2006, the Lady Wolves roared to a third place finish in the National Tournament, with the help of three former Lady Colonels–Jackie Stowe Johnson, Holly Pyles Bridges and Annie Selman Delaughter. In 2008, the Lady Wolves earned national runners-up, the highest by any Co-Lin team in any sport in school history.
"We are excited to have these players join our program. We've had good success with Copiah grads in the past and feel like we'll continue that with this bunch," Kent said.
The Lady Colonels are coached by Terry Bauer, who has won two state state championships (2004, 2011) in softball one (2011) in baseball.
Johnson is the daughter of Bruce and Selena Johnson of Crystal Springs. Cliburn is the daughter of Steven and Stephanie Cliburn of Hazlehurst. Brown is the daughter of Michael and Stacy Brown of Byram. Berry is the daughter of Jeff and Tracy Berry of Hazlehurst.
