Kirk, Simmons earn MACJC North Division honors
This award is a reflection of all the hard work and dedication the girls put into the season. Simmons and I have been blessed to have a group of girls that love the game of softball and have been willing to put their entire heart into helping make their program better both on and off the field. -- Coach Andy Kirk
Kirk, Simmons earn MACJC North Division honors
Adam Gore/LetsGoICC.com
FULTON, MS -- Itawamba Community College head softball coach Andy Kirk and assistant coach Cary Simmons have been named Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) North Division Coaching Staff of the Year after guiding the Lady Indians to their second-straight division title.
"This award is a reflection of all the hard work and dedication the girls put into the season," said Kirk. "Simmons and I have been blessed to have a group of girls that love the game of softball and have been willing to put their entire heart into helping make their program better both on and off the field."
The Lady Indians finished the season 31-15-1 and advanced to the program's fourth National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 23 tournament appearance in the past five seasons.
This season's group of sophomore will leave as the program's most successful group winning 65 games after finishing their freshman season with a program-best 34 wins with only 13 losses. Sophomore pitcher Rebecca Sloan (Oneonta, AL) set the program's single-season strikeout record while fellow sophomore pitcher Dani Taylor (New Albany) set the single season and career saves record.
"All these sophomores are leaving big shoes to fill for future players," the second-year head coach commented on his eight sophomores. "They really raised the bar of expectations for what is ICC softball over the past two seasons."
ICC had eight players earn MACJC and NJCAA postseason honors with freshman third baseman Kory Watterson (Nesbit) and former NJCAA All-American sophomore outfielder Jessi Patterson (Nettleton) earn MACJC Player of the Week honors during the regular season.
For more information on ICC softball, follow the Lady Indians on Twitter (@LetsGoICC).