MONTICELLO – Lawrence County catcher Shelby Mitchell willshowcase her offensive skills next year for the Copiah-LincolnCommunity College Lady Wolves. Mitchell signed scholarship paperswith Co-Lin Tuesday during a scholarship ceremony attended byfamily and friends.

Mitchell, a 5-foot-8 right-hander, bats left-handed. She posted a.492 batting average as a junior for the Lady Cougars.

“Shelby is a very strong, versatile player,” said LCHS softballcoach Courtney Shivers. “She has worked hard to improve her skills.She will be a big asset to Co-Lin next year.”

Shivers said Mitchell’s batting from the left side gave her team anadvantage, especially in scoring runs. “Shelby hit to the rightside of the field and that helped our runners advance.

“Defensively, she blocks the plate well as a catcher,” Shiversadded. “She has a strong, accurate throwing arm, too.”

Shivers has four seniors on this season’s fastpitch squad thatstarts its season Feb. 26, hosting an MHSAA Classic tournament.Brookhaven and Vicksburg will participate.

Mitchell, the daughter of Jeff and Robin Mitchell, said she waslooking forward to playing for Co-Lin. “It’s great to sign withCo-Lin. It (scholarship) allows me to play something I love todo.”

She has been a 4-year starter at LCHS and is a Superintendent’sScholar. In slowpitch softball, played in the fall, Mitchell hasearned The DAILY LEADER’s All-Area Most Valuable Player andOffensive Player of the Year honors in 2009 and 2010respectively.

Mitchell said she plans to pursue a career in the medical field andmajor in biology at Co-Lin. Her mother is a registered nurse. Herfather owns a roofing company and coaches an all-star fastpitchteam during the summer months.

Co-Lin head coach Allen Kent said he was pleased to have Mitchelljoin his squad. “We are glad to have Shelby join our program. She’sgot a good left-handed stroke, with power to all fields. Shelby’sgot experience behind the plate, which is always a plus. We alsosee her playing first base and being a designated hitter.

“Shelby’s been a regular at our camps and has also played extensivesummer ball,” Kent pointed out. “She’s got a good head for the gameand is a good student as well.”

Kent is entering his 9th season as head coach of the Lady Wolves.His teams have seen second and third place place finishes in theNJCAA National Tournament. Kent’s squads have won 3 MACJC StateChampionships and 2 NJCAA Region 23 Titles, while being nationallyranked in 7 of the past 8 seasons.