No. 3 Wallace State softball continues daunting February schedule, seeks to defeat additional ranked opponents in Panama City, Fla.
HANCEVILLE – Wallace State’s 3rd-ranked softball team was perfect against its nationally-ranked counterparts last weekend in Texas, and the Lady Lions seek to repeat that success in Panama City, Fla., beginning Friday, when they’ll participate in the Gulf Coast Community College tournament.
During its Texas trip, Wallace State defeated second-ranked Blinn College twice and No. 18 Iowa Western CC, winning seven of eight games overall.
Continuing a daunting February schedule, the Lady Lions (9-4) are slated to play 4th-ranked State College of Florida-Manatee and defending NJCAA champion Chattanooga (Tenn.) State, ranked No. 17, this weekend at Gulf Coast.
Wallace State sophomores Katie Gentle and Paige Rowland have both picked up where they left off last season. Gentle, a Hartselle grad, is hitting .452 with three homers and 11 RBIs through 13 games, while Rowland has a .452 average, two homers and 10 RBIs.
Gentle had a strong showing in Texas, finishing with a homer, eight RBIs, 10 runs scored and six stolen bases. Rowland contributed six hits, a homer and five RBIs.
The Lady Lions have already received timely contributions from freshmen Madeline Lee and Kori Benson. Lee is hitting .444 and had 12 hits, including three doubles, last weekend. Benson, an Oak Grove native, had one of the best days in Wallace State softball history against Alvin (Texas) College on Feb. 15. She went 4-for-4 with a grand slam, solo homer and three-run double, finishing with eight RBIs. Benson is hitting .314 with four homers and 14 RBIs thus far in 2013.
Sophomore pitchers BreeAnna Blevins and Lindsey DeFee each picked up three victories in Texas. Blevins is 4-2 with a 1.79 ERA this season and DeFee is 4-2 with a 2.28 ERA.
Wallace State hosts its annual JUCO Invitational at Cullman’s Heritage Park on March 1-2.
For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit wallacestate.edu.
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Russell Moore
Staff Writer
Wallace State Community College
P.O. Box 2000, Hanceville, AL 35077
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Visit us online at www.wallacestate.edu