By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
Aug. 15, 2002
PHILADELPHIA Philadelphia slow-pitch softball head coach Scott Hill has been to the top of the mountain before. Now he finds the top of the mountain has been raised just a little higher.
In 2000, the Lady Tornadoes went 32-10 to set a school record for wins in a season and captured the Class 2A state championship. They moved up to Class 3A last year and went 12-12 after losing 10 seniors from the 2000 team.
Hill lost only two seniors from the 2001 ballclub, but both carried a heavy load. Pitcher Mandy Eakes and outfielder Jhaun Sparnecht both batted .506. Eakes had 12 extra base hits and was a four-time all-division selection. Sparnecht had 14 extra base hits.
This year's lineup has senior Lindsey Bostick at first base, senior Brittany Phillips at second base, freshman Shenique Brass at shortstop, freshman Shanese Hunter at third base, senior Kelly George behind the plate, sophomore Candisha Shannon on the mound, senior Latisha Johnson in left field, sophomore Candace Griffin in left-center, freshman Jillian Sparnecht in right-center, and senior Ginger Vowell in right field.
Griffin and Phillips have also worked as pitchers during fall practice.
Hill expects Shannon to have a good year.
The Lady Tornadoes compete in the always tough Division 5-3A. There the Lady Tornadoes find themselves battling defending Class 3A state champion Newton County and 2001 state semifinalist West Lauderdale just to make the playoffs. Carthage, Choctaw Central, Heidelberg, and Southeast Lauderdale complete the league.
Philadelphia hosts its invitational tournament, Friday-Saturday. In Pool A are Philadelphia, Newton, Carthage, and Noxapater. In Pool B are Nanih Waiya, Louisville, Neshoba Central, and Choctaw Central. The winners will play at 4 p.m. Saturday.