By Staff
GOOD SEASON n First baseman Betsy Clark is having a great season for the Newton County Lady Cougars who are currently ranked No. 1 in the state. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By Marty Stamper/The Meridian Star
Sept. 10, 2001
DECATUR – The Newton County Lady Cougars are off to a fast start on the softball diamond this fall and senior first baseman Betsy Clark is one of the reasons why.
Entering this past weekend's Clinton Invitational Tournament, Clark was batting a sizzling .625, going 20-for-32 in Newton County's first 10 games.
With a 11-1 start, the Lady Cougars find themselves sitting atop The Clarion-Ledger's slow-pitch softball poll. The team split a pair of games in the Clinton tournament, losing a close 6-5 decision to Northwest Rankin before blowing past Forest Hill 19-4.
Despite her hot bat, Newton County veteran coach Mack Fanning is just as impressed with Clark's defense this year.
A slight modification of her batting stance has increased Clark's performance at the plate this year.
Along with doing her job on the field, Clark has been carrying out her role of setting the proper example for the underclassmen along with fellow seniors Krystal Burton and Krissi Harris.
Clark is in her sixth year with the Lady Cougar program.
The Lady Cougars battle West Lauderdale not only for the Region 5-3A championship every year, but for the Class 3A state championship as well. They finished 1-2 a year ago with West taking the upper hand. West is currently ranked second in the state to Newton County's No. 1 position.
Clark played on a 16-under team with several West Lauderdale players this summer and found out the enemy isn't always as bad as one might make them out to be when you don't know them.
The Lady Cougars and Lady Knights are set to tangle Tuesday night in Collinsville.
Marty Stamper is a sports writer for The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, of e-mail him at sports@themeridianstar.com.