Marriage has provided multiple blessings for Bogue Chittosoftball coaches Scott and Denise Leggett. Besides the welcoming oftwo children to the family, they have merged coaching skills tobuild an outstanding program at Bogue Chitto.

Most recently, they coached the Lady Cats to the Class 1A StateFastpitch Softball Championship last Saturday. Their team bouncedback from a 10-0 Friday night loss to Smithville and beat the LadySeminoles 1-0 and 6-2 to win the best-of-three series the hardway.

For their efforts, the Leggetts are recognized as The DAILYLEADER’s 2010 Fastpitch Softball Coaches of the Year.

Bogue Chitto fielded a remarkably young but talented team thisyear, featuring no seniors. The juniors are second baseman BradiDavis, pitcher Toy Smith, catcher Darcy Miller and shortstop JosiePorter. Usually in the starting lineup are Mattie Avants in centerfield, Adrienne Wallace at third base, Alexis Givens at first base,Rheagan Welch in left field and Kerri McGehee in right field.

Scott Leggett said his young squad wasn’t looking for excuses afterthe error-filled opener against Smithville. “They knew they didn’tdo it on purpose. They knew they were capable of playing muchbetter ball.”

Leggett met with the team after the loss at Freedom Ridge Park inRidgeland. He had a special meeting with the varsity.

“I told them, ‘I know we played bad but tomorrow is a newday.’

“I used psychology, too,” Leggett noted. “We knew Smithville wouldbe overconfident for Saturday’s game.”

Denise praised their young’s team’s mature outlook. “They areresponsible to be such a young team. There is no finger pointing.The girls have a very strong faith and they have faith in eachother. God has blessed us.”

Both of the Leggetts were standout athletes in high school. DeniseWarren played softball and basketball for Loyd Star. Scott playedbaseball and football at Bogue Chitto.

“During a game, I’ll be in the third base box coaching and Denisewill be at first base,” said Leggett.

A 1993 BC grad, Leggett majored in sports medicine at SouthernMiss. Currently, he teaches U.S. history, American government,economics and psychology/sociology at Bogue Chitto.

Denise graduated from Loyd Star in 1997. She graduated from WilliamCarey University with a degree in music therapy. She teachesseventh and eighth grade history at Bogue Chitto plus a STEMninthgrade course that covers science, technology, engineering andmathematics.

Members of the Baptist faith, they attend Calvary and FriendshipChurches. Their children are Alyssa, age 5; and Knox, 3.

“Scott really handles the fundamentals of softball,” said Denise.”I handle the girl part and take care of the psychology.”

Denise recently completed her master’s degree in school counselingat Southern Miss.

In 2007, the Leggetts directed Bogue Chitto to a slowpitch statechampionship. It’s a year-round activity. Their daughter is playingT-Ball this summer.

For sure, they make it a team effort, win or lose.