POPLARVILLE, Miss.— The Pearl River softball team is nailing down their final preparations before the season debut Saturday in the Chipola Tournament in Dothan, Alabama. 

First year head coach Christie Meeks is both excited and ready to see how her team stacks up against the competition. 

TAKING THE CIRCLE OVER 

One area where the Wildcats will see some familiar faces is inside the circle. 

The Wildcats will return sophomores Grace Stringer (Moselle; South Jones) and Gracie Barnett (Vancleave) after successful freshmen seasons. 

Meeks stressed that their pitching rotation will be based off of how each arm matches up against their opponent. 

"I think both Grace and Gracie are going to have to play that game one and game two role but they'll start based on what we need from each one and depending on who we play," Meeks said. 

In 24 appearances last season Stringer posted a record of 13-4 while holding an ERA of 2.30. 

"Grace was a little banged up in the fall so coming in she worked really hard to recover from that injury," Meeks said. "The second half of the fall she got comfortable again. She got her mindset really right and on target. This spring coming in she wants to prove a point. She's worked really hard and become mentally tougher." 

Barnett looks to build on a season that saw her hold a 3-6 record with an ERA of 3.17. 

"In the fall Gracie just took on this role of being mentally tough on the mound," Meeks said. "She's come back with this mindset of choosing to be great everyday. It's a different kind of focus for her. I love watching how she's commanding the circle right now. I really like with the amount of pitches we're using with her. I think she's broadened her horizon with the speed changes." 

A new face Wildcat fans will see will be freshmen Danielle Lalonde (Cecilia, La.; Cecilia). 

"Danielle has done a great job this past fall," Meeks said. "She has been working super hard on her spin so she's been keeping the ball off of the plate, really mixing that change up in a lot and spinning it around. I think that she can keep batters off guard like that." 

A PRESENCE BEHIND THE PLATE

The Wildcats will have multiple players they can look to to play catcher between newcomers Faith McKenzie (Fairhope, Ala.; Fairhope), Saige Hebert (D'Iblerville) and Kambryn Chassion (Picayune) but will also have returning sophomore Jenna Coumeaux (Youngsville, La.; Comeaux). 

McKenzie is a transfer from West Alabama and is looking to come in and make an instant impact for the Wildcats. 

"Faith is very commanding behind the plate," Meeks said. "She sees what's going on and she keeps everyone in line with what she sees. She's gonna do a great job of helping our pitcher settle in tough situations. 

Hebert has already started to standout in Meeks' opinion. 

"Saige works her framework and knows all of the plays," Meeks said. "There's something different about that kid."

Meeks thinks the same can be said for Chassion. 

"So Kami is a freshmen on the field but her and coach Sparks click," Meeks said. "She really understands what coach Sparks is asking out of her. Her arm strength is outstanding and she has a great presence behind the plate." 

Comeuax is the lone returning player at the catcher position however Meeks is hoping that can play multiple roles for the Wildcats. 

"So Comeaux has such a personality behind the plate that pitchers love throwing to her," Meeks said. "She has worked real hard at being more agile. We see her playing a good bit of designated hitter right now as well."  

LAYING OUT THE DIAMOND 

The infield, for the Wildcats will be a healthy mix of newcomers and returning sophomores. 

Freshmen Brook Jordan (Waynesboro; Wayne County) and Faith Peterson (Long Beach) will round out the battle for first base for Meeks.

"Brook has really stepped into that role and become a lot more verbal," Meeks said. 

Freshmen Sydney Runnels (Seminary; South Jones) will play at second base.

"Sydney looks great out there and she works well with Brooke (Fagan)," Meeks said. 

Fagan will start at shortstop for the second straight year. 

Fagan soared in her freshmen season batting at .355 with 25 RBIs and was selected to the MACJC All-State and Region XXIII All-Region teams.   

"Brooke is a great leader on the field and she has a calming presence when she's out there," Meeks said. "She's done a great job of expanding her range as a player. I see a fire underneath her to play even better then she did last year." 

Rounding out the infield will be Reagan Havard (Lucedale; George County) at third base. 

"Reagan's personality is so much fun to coach," Meeks said. "She gives us a little bit of spark when she's out on the field and everyday she's getting better and better." 

PLAYING THE FIELD 

Like the infield, the outfield will feature a solid mix of new faces and returning talent. 

At left field Promise Shanks (Waynesboro; Wayne County) will be looked to perform as well as Jenna Smith (D'Iberville). 

"They're both doing a really great job out there," Meek said. 

Smith could also see some time at right field. 

"I've liked what I've seen from Jenna, she gives us a little bit of a different look at the plate," Meeks said. 

At centerfield freshmen Emily McDonald (Laurel; Wayne County) and Mary Moore Widemire (Hattiesburg; Presbyterian Christian) will battle it out and both will likely see playing time. 

Sophomore Abigail Thexton (Sumrall) will serve in a rotational role in the outfield as well. 

AROUND THE CORNER 

PRCC opens the season Saturday in Chipola's tournament in Dothan, Ala. The Wildcats play Tallahassee on Feb. 8 and then both Gulf Coast State College and Georgia Military College on Feb. 9. PRCC then travels to Coastal Alabama-South on Feb. 11 before hosting Baton Rouge on Feb. 15. 

Meeks' squad opens MACJC action March 6 at Northwest and will host Southwest on March 18.

HOW TO TUNE IN

All home games will be streamed at PRCCMedia.com. 

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