SUMMIT – The start of the 2015 Southwest Mississippi Community College softball season is just around the corner. Head coach Patsy Sandifer, entering her 9th year at the helm of the program, is excited about the start of the season and thinks her team has the potential for a solid campaign.

“We have come so far from nine years ago,” Sandifer said, “and are looking to get better with the overall program. We want to continue to be a competitive program, one that makes playoffs. That’s our goal.”

“There are teams we need to beat (to make the playoffs),” she continued, “and we need to focus on beating those teams. We’re just excited about the future (and) about what this group of young ladies can do.”

“Of course,” she went on, “we always have to focus on our defense and through the fall season I felt like we got better and better in that area. That’s been kind of uplifting for us. That means our individual players are getting better.”

In the pitching circle, the Lady Bears will rely in large measure in 2015 on three sophomores-Keely Fortenberry (Tylertown H. S.), Leann Jackson (Puckett H. S.) and Maddy Teague (Long Beach H. S.).

Sandifer said Teague “by far put in more innings that anybody last year 104.1). If she will continue to get better (and) get stronger then we feel like she can be a workhorse for us and possibly get a lot of innings in (again this season).”

Fortenberry and Jackson were both “role pitchers” last season, said Sandifer. “Sometimes they were closers, at times maybe they started a game (and) sometimes we would bring them in around the fourth or fifth inning to get in a couple of innings. We fell like they are going to be able to continue that role and help us finish out a game.”

Newcomers Macy Fulton (Marion, LA) and Chasity Shepherd (George County H. S.) could also see time in the pitching circle this season. Sandifer said “we expect a lot of out Macy and she’s expecting a lot out of herself. She had the best record, the best stats and the best results (in the fall).” Sandifer said assistant coach Shea Johnson “has worked with her and she’s added some pitches and that has really opened her game.” Shepherd can potentially “get some time in as long as she continues to get better,” Sandifer said.

Looking at the catchers, Sandifer said sophomore Brooke Chaffee (Pass Christian H. S.) “didn’t play a lot (in 2014), but she did a lot of the bullpen catching for us. She could potentially be our starting catcher this year.” Last year’s starter, Jessica Pipkins (Perry Central H. S.) “will see some time at shortstop and also behind the plate. She makes us more versatile on the infield when she’s the shortstop.”

Addressing the infield, Sandifer said “Sarah Roberts (Freshman-Winnsboro, LA) has come in and done a great job at third base. She’s also going to help us at the plate because she’s kind of known offensively for her bat. She has some power and has the potential to go long. We have Paige Walters (Freshman-Seminary H. S.), who has the potential to be our first baseman. Tori Reeves (Freshman-George County H. S.) is a good hitter for us. She may be a DP, maybe spend a little time at third base.”

Freshman Leyton Terrell (McComb H. S.) “has come in and had probably one of the most consistent bats for us in the fall,” Sandifer said. She can play infield and outfield. We (also) have others who have some speed (and) may be role players, some who can maybe come in and be a pinch-hitter or (do) some other things for us.”

Sandifer said she had at least seven strong outfielders. Among those are freshmen Austin Pruitt (Pearl River Central H. S.) and Jana McEwen (North Pike H. S.) and sophomores Shaden Miller (Ocean Springs H. S.) and Payton Lewis (Alexandria, LA).

I don’t mind saying Austin is one of our more solid defensive players, a potential starting centerfielder for us,” said Sandifer. “Jana has come in and done a great job and needs to continue to get better.”

Looking at Miller and Lewis, Sandifer said “Shaden has gotten better and better since she’s come to Southwest. She’s worked hard with her hitting and in the outfield. She’s a potential starter. Payton started almost every game last year in the outfield. She’s a lefty and has a good bat. She’s not the fastest player in the outfield, but she gets a good jump on the ball. She really does a great job in the outfield and is continuing to get better as a leader for our team.”

Discussing the MACJC South Division and the Lady Bears’ chances to reach the playoffs, Sandifer said “we feel like we have a shot at the playoffs, just as good of a chance as anybody, but we have to work very hard to get there. We have to beat the teams we can beat. When we’re home we need to try to win both games and when we’re on the road we need to try to split. That’s the mentality we have to have going in (to the season).”

“We’re going to face some good teams,” she said. She said during her tenure at Southwest, South Division foes Jones County (ranked #1 in the NJCAA’s pre-season poll), Gulf Coast (pre-season #19), Pearl River and Co-Lin have all been ranked in the NJCAA’s Top 20 at some point. “There’re just so many different variables in the South Division. To me, it’s by far the strongest division in the state.”

The Lady Bears are scheduled to get the season underway on February 6th and 7th when they play a pair of doubleheaders at Bishop State Community College in Mobile, AL. Their first home games are set for February 10th against Coahoma.

The complete schedule can be found on the softball page at www.southwestbearathletics.com.