Local standouts making big impact
Softball, baseball players perform on next level
Several former local baseball and softball standouts are continuing what they did on the high school fields by making an impact on the college level.
A total of 20 former players from Calhoun, Sonoraville and Gordon Central are on college rosters this Spring and many of them are a big part of their respective team’s success.
Here is an update on each of the locals that have seen action early on in the season and how they are doing (stats are through Tuesday, March 7):
SOFTBALL MACI MILLS Reinhardt, Sr., Gordon Central
Mills is off to a great start for her senior campaign with a 5-1 record in the circle in seven appearances (five starts). She’s won five in a row, pitching seven innings in each game in that stretch. She has an ERA of 4.81 in 39 1-3 innings of work with 28 strikeouts and a 1.000 fielding percentage. The Eagles are 15-7 overall and 3-1 in conference and are currently playing in the Space Coast Spring Training Games in Titusville, Fla.
LILY HAYES Western Carolina, Soph., Sonoraville
Hayes has compiled a 3-4 record so far in seven games, four of those being starts. The sophomore lefty has pitched 23 2-3 innings, including two complete games and a shutout, while compiling an ERA of 4.44 with 20 strikeouts. Western Carolina is currently 5-7 overall and will be off until Wednesday when they host Virginia Tech for a non-conference doubleheader.
EMILY WEATHERMAN Western Carolina, Fr., Calhoun
Weatherman has gotten her college career off to a fast start as the freshman is batting .394 (team leader) in 12 games (nine starts) so far. She has 13 hits, including a double and a homer, to go along with seven RBIs and three stolen bases. The Catamounts are currently 5-7 and will host Virginia Tech for a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday.
ERIN WHITLOCK Wallace State, Fr., Sonoraville
Whitlock has played in 21 games so far during her first college season and is hitting .220 with a double, a homer and a triple to go along with five RBIs, 11 runs scored and six stolen bases. The outfielder also has a .957 fielding percentage for the Lions, who are 12-9 currently and will play in the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga. starting on Friday against Temple College.
ABBY CONNALLY Wallace State, Fr., Sonoraville
The freshman Connally has played in 18 games for the Lions so far this season and has a batting average of .229 with a homer, seven RBIs, five runs scored and three stolen bases. The second baseman has a fielding percentage of .939 for Wallace State who will play Temple College on Friday in their first game of the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga.
SHAWNDA MARTIN Georgia College, Jr., Gordon Central
Martin has played in 15 games for the Bobcats with an average of .261 with a double, four RBIs and six runs scored. Georgia College is 13-9 overall and 2-0 in conference and will host Francis Marion for a conference doubleheader on Saturday.
TAYLOR KELLY Mississippi State, Soph., Calhoun
Kelly has played in five games with one start for the Bulldogs so far this Spring and has a hit. Mississippi State is currently 19-3 and will open SEC play this weekend when they visit Texas A&M starting on Friday.