Shortstop Josie Porter and left-centerfielder Darcy Miller ofBogue Chitto were catalysts marched the Lady Cats into the Class 1AState slowpitch softball playoffs. At the plate and in the field,they used their skills on offense and defense to help directedtheir team to 26 victories in 33 games and won the State 1Aslowpitch softball championship.

For their performance, Porter and Miller have been selected Co-MostValuable Players on The DAILY LEADER’s 2010 All-Area SlowpitchSoftball Team. Both are seniors.

Two more special DAILY LEADER awards went to junior shortstop EricaBridwell of Brookhaven, who was selected Most Valuable DefensivePlayer; and senior third basemen Shelby Mitchell of LawrenceCounty, who was selected Most Valuable Offensive Player.

Joining them on the All-Area Dream Team are pitchers Kerri McGeheeof Bogue Chitto and Brooke Hosick of Brookhaven.

The catchers are Mary Lindsey Magee of Brookhaven Academy and ToySmith of Bogue Chitto.

Joining Porter, Bridwell and Mitchell in the infield are BradiDavis of Bogue Chitto and Dalphne Armstrong of LawrenceCounty.

The Dream Team’s flex players are Destiney Dedeaux of FranklinCounty, Laura Beth Wright of Brookhaven Academy, and Kierra Collinsof Franklin County.

The extra hitters are Katie Hester of West Lincoln, Danielle Farnumof McComb and Tammy Alexander of Franklin County.

Joining Miller in the outfield are Christen Benson of Brookhaven,Karli Herrington of West Lincoln, Shauntay Walker of Wesson andLatorya Griffin of Franklin County.

Bogue Chitto coach Scott Leggett said Porter and Miller wereexceptional athletes on offense and defense.

“Josie Porter and Darcy Miller are among two of the best playersthat I have coached. Both of them are very athletic and haveChristian-like attitudes. They are solid both offensively anddefensively. These girls give you 110% in every game.”

Porter and Miller helped lead the Lady Cats to the State 1ASlowpitch Championship on the V.A. Softball Fields in Jackson.Bogue Chitto became the first team in Lincoln County to win bothFastpitch and Slowpitch Championships in the same year.

Josie Porter, 5-6 senior right-hander, is a hard-nosed player whowill battle for everything both offensively and defensively. Shebatted .458 at the plate, collecting 38 RBIs.

Porter shared her thoughts on Bogue Chitto’s state title season.”We work hard together and help motivate each other to strive toget better. We kept our faith in God and trust our abilities,” saidPorter.

Darcy Miller, 5-7 senior right-hander, was a force to be reckonedwith in the outfield as she drove opposing batters crazy with herskills. She posted a .418 batting average, collecting 31RBIs.

Miller expressed her thoughts on the softball coaches and Porter?”I love playing for these coaches. They will motivate you to striveto get better and stand behind us 100% as a team even if they arefrustrated with us,” said Miller.

Miller said she and Porter are “very good friends and I haveenjoyed playing with her all these years in high school and insummer league sports. I look forward to keep playing with her inyears to come.”

Erica Bridwell, 5-5 junior right-hander, uses an Easton ball gloveand has been recognized for her defensive skills. She has been afixture at shortstop for Brookhaven, batting .430 and collecting 14RBIs.

How did Bridwell become such a good defensive player? “I would liketo give credit to my coaches for helping me to get better. It tooka lot of hard work and patience for me to keep on working and notgive up,” said Bridwell.

Bridwell described her season as being fun and exciting. “We workhard as a team to make everyone around us get better. Our main goalthis year was to do what it took to make it back to state but wecame up short. Overall, this was a fun and exciting year forus.”

Brookhaven coach Lisa Covington said “Erica is an outstanding ballplayer that plays with a lot of heart. She is not afraid to getdirty. She provides good leadership in the game and inpractices.”

Shelby Mitchell, 5-7 senior right-hander, sparkled at the plate forLawrence County and plays third base on defense. She batted .730 tohelp lead the Cougars during a rebuilding year that was plaguedwith injuries. Mitchell uses a 34-inch RocketTech bat and swingsleft-handed.

How did Mitchell developed into such a good hitter?

“It took a lot of practicing: hitting off of tees, soft toss andlive pitching,” said Mitchell.

Mitchell described her season as being pretty good. “I had my upsand downs for the season, but I gave 110% in each game.”

Lawrence County coach Courtney Shrivers said “Shelby is a big assetto our offense. She is a solid player at the plate and works hardon defense.

Kerri McGehee, a sophomore, compiled a 26-7 record for BogueChitto. At the plate, she batted .333.

Brooke Hosick, a junior, posted a 21-10 record for Brookhaven’sLady Panthers. As a batter, she posted a .385 average.

Mary L. Magee, a senior, posted .379 batting average for CoachRicky Allen’s Brookhaven Academy Lady Cougars.

Toy Smith, a senior, batted .319 for Bogue Chitto. She had 14 RBIsto her credit.

Bradi Davis, a senior, batted .420 and had 31 RBIs for BogueChitto.

Dalphne Armstrong, a senior, had a .590 batting average forFranklin County.

Destiney Dedeaux, a senior, batted .474 for Coach Dana Smith’sFranklin County Lady Bulldogs.

Laura B. Wright, a senior, had a .629 batting average forBrookhaven Academy.

Kierra Collins, a junior, batted .481 for the Meadville-based LadyBulldogs.

Katie Hester, a sophomore, had a .470 batting average for CoachAndrew Redd’s West Lincoln Lady Bears.

Danielle Farnum, a senior, batted .411 for coach Cody Hall’s McCombLady Tigers.

Tammy Alexander, a senior, posted a .558 batting average forFranklin County.

Christen Benson, a sophomore, batted .494 for Brookhaven.

Karli Herrington, a senior, batted 482 for West Lincoln.

Shauntay Walker, a senior, batted .484 for Coach Jackie Johnson’sWesson Lady Cobras.

Latorya Griffin, a sophomore, had a .410 batting average forFranklin County.