80 attend SP softball camp

By Danielle Bean

Being crowned state champions has not hurt the reputation of the South Panola High School fastpitch softball team any.

This week 80 up and coming softball players participated in the softball camp under head coach Ashleigh Hicks’ watchful eye.

Some parents said getting the girls up and ready to go Thursday was harder than any day this week.

Despite that, when the call came, the camp participants were warming up, batting, running and ready to learn to slide on a ground slip and slide.

Helping conduct the camp were the members of the South Panola girls fastpitch softball team. When the campers divided into teams for scrimmage, the high school team members served as coaches and assistant coaches.

During the scrimmage, a pitching machine was used instead of a camper pitching. Each batter was thrown five balls from the machine if they did not get a hit and get on base first.

Also on hand was South Panola pitcher Whitney Kiihnl, who was recently selected the Gatorade Softball Player of the Year.

A banner sent by Gatorade now hangs on the fence of the softball field.