The 2008-2009 USC Salkehatchie Lady Indians softball programs should be proud to hold their heads high when they arrive back on campus Monday.
The Lady Indians fought hard in every game this season and it was evident in many ways throughout the season.
This USC Salkehatchie Lady Indians softball team became the first to finish a season above .500% with a final over-all record of 23-22.
Sophomore Cea Knox (Myrtle Beach, SC) becomes the all-time wins leader for the Lady Indians, all-strike leader and she won the distinguished All-Region X award at the athletic banquet in Hartsville, SC.
Sophomore Kayla Jarrell hit her first ever home run in the Region X tournament and it wasn't just any home run, it was a game winning grand slam. Kayla was also named to the 2008-2009 Region X all-tournament team.
Sophomore Cea Knox (Myrtle Beach, SC) became the first USC Salkehatchie Lady Indians pitcher to every throw a no-hitter in school history against NCAA Benedict College (Columbia, SC) The story was featured on the national NJCAA website.
Freshman Symone Nettles (Lamar, SC) became the first Lady Indian to hit 3-home runs in one game against Aiken Technical College. She was honored by the NJCAA as the National Player of the Week for her accomplishment. We are still waiting to hear from the NJCAA to see if this is a national record for a freshman player. Symone was named to the first team all-region X team (Infield)
The Lady Indians were featured on the National NJCAA website for their work with the Red Hotts a local 8-11 year old group of girls from Lexington, South Carolina for their work for Breast Cancer Awareness.
Sophomore Michelle Turner (Sumter, SC) became the first player in school history to hit 2-grand slams against the same school. She hit a grand slam her freshman season against USC Sumter and another at home earlier this season, to give the Lady Indians a victory over the Lady Fire Ants.
I am sure many more records were broken and once Coach Mitch Smith has a moment to catch his breath, I will post them to the blog and on the official USC Salkehatchie Athletic website www.uscsalkathletics.com
Don't forget to scroll down the page and see all the Lady Indians that won Region X awards this season at the Region X athletic banquet.
I now must say a few words about USC Salkehatchie head coach Mitch Smith. I saw first hand this weekend how much he cares about his players. Once the Lady Indians were knocked out of the Region X tournament, I saw him walk up to everyone of his players on the field and thank them for working so hard throughout the season. I don't believe there was a dry eye among the players, fans or parents. I have watched him take this program to heights in the past three seasons that no one thought possible.
If you look at some of the other teams, they have more to offer but none have a coach like Mitch Smith, a coach that truly cares about his players. I wouldn't have his job for a million dollars, not because it is a bad job but it is a tough job. I think sometimes fans; parents and players just see one side of Coach Smith, the hard nosed coach that wants to win.
This weekend if you stayed after the games were over, you saw a coach that cares for his players and wants to see them not only succeed on the field and classroom but also in life.
It was a great season, I thank everyone for their support and we will go at it again next year.
If you are a parent of a sophomore, we will truly miss your child. I have come to know and appreciate each and every player on the Lady Indians squad. I hope that you will keep us updated on your child's progress as they move on from USC Salkehatchie.
If it isn't on the playing field, I would love to hear from the players that move on and get their degree from another institution and I hope you encourage them to stay in touch with us by keeping their mailing address up to date for athletic mail outs.
Again on behalf of the entire USC Salkehatchie athletic family, thank you for all your support and I hope to see you out at the ballpark in the fall.
Stay tuned to the blog all summer as we announce signings, summer camps and many new features for next season.
