WESSON – Copiah-Lincoln Community College First TeamAll-American Becca Bailey recently signed with Lock HavenUniversity in Lock Haven, Pa. Bailey, a right-handed pitcher fromDenham Springs, La., led the Lady Wolves to the 2008 MACJC StateTournament Championship and the NJCAA Region 23 TournamentChampionship. Co-Lin then went on to finish as the 2008 NationalRunner-Up at the NJCAA Division II National Tournament in Normal,Ill.

“Becca was a warrior for us all year,” said Co-Lin head softballcoach Allen Kent. “Her mound presence was phenomenal and we wereproud to have her be a part of the Lady Wolves program. She took usto another level, not only in the circle, but with her batalso.”

“Bailey set the school record for strikeouts with 221 in 162innings. She also tied the school record for wins, posting a 21-4mark. She had a 1.34 ERA while only issuing 26 walks. Becca alsoboasted a .330 batting average with 8 doubles and 23 RBI, withlimited at-bats early in the season.

” “Becca tore her ACL in January, but elected to postponesurgery until after the season,” Kent said. “She pushed herrecovery and we eased her into mid-season form. Some athletes wouldhave been selfish and gone ahead with the surgery and missed theseason. She’s a special player and I know she will make bigcontributions at Lock Haven.”

“Kent said that Bailey had been completely out of softball forover two years. “I convinced her to give it another shot, lettingsoftball help continue her education. It was not easy for her,having been out in the working world for a few years. She had tomake some adjustments, get back in shape, get her grades up so wecould get her eligible, etc.

” “Becca made the absolute most out of her opportunity here,”added Kent. “Life is not all about sports. We’re just glad to be astepping stone in getting her closer to obtaining her degree.”

“Bailey said she appreciated the opportunity to pitch at Co-Lin.She said her new teammates made her feel welcome in the Co-Linfamily.

” “I was honored to be a part of an amazing program this year,”Bailey said. “A year ago, I was living a normal working life havingto live and learn all life’s lessons so soon. But with theencouragement of the friends and family around me, I was luckyenough to find a program who needed me as much as I did them.”

” Bailey attributes her success to her coaches (Allen Kent,Johnny Williams and Duane Burt), her teammates, and the people ofWesson and Brookhaven who believed in her.

“Dreams change, people change, life changes and all we have tolearn is to except it and let our minds and our souls ease us intoour place of comfort,” said Bailey.

“In addition to First Team All-American honors, Bailey was alsonamed NJCAA All-Region 23 and MACJC All-State. She was also namedto the All-Tournament Team at the NJCAA National Tournament.

“The Lock Haven Lady Eagles (49-8), led by head coach KelleyGreen and assistant coach Kelly Shannon, won the Mid-AtlanticRegion advancing to the NCAA Division II College Softball WorldSeries for the third consecutive season.

After winning the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC)Western Division Regular season title, the PSAC Championships andMid-Atlantic title, all for the third consecutive year, LHU went onto the National Championships looking for their second Nationaltitle in three years.