TAMPA, Fla. — Mississippi College's historic season came to a close on Saturday in the NCAA Regional against UAH by a final of 5-3 in a season that will forever be remembered.
Their historic year will be remembered as a thrilling and triumphant chapter in the program's history. Off the field, the Lady Choctaws graduated six seniors: Alexis Laughlin, Avery Barnett, Ali King, Brooke Fagan, Jaycee Dill, and Jenna Ergle, while accomplishing a 3.43 GPA as a team in the spring.
On the field, the team shattered numerous school records, had several players named to All-Conference and All-Regional Teams, and featured more wins than any other Lady Choctaw softball team in the history of the program.
Led by the phenomenal coaching of Head Coach Brooke O'Hair, who was rightfully crowned the 2023 Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year, the team captured the hearts of fans and spectators all over the country, for their fun style of play, hard work, and grit in their exceptional performances.
The 2023 Lady Choctaws rewrote the MC softball record book. McCall Lee earned the well-deserved title of the 2023 GSC Player of the Year. Lee's incredible skills as a catcher and her awe-inspiring offensive prowess made her an unstoppable force on the field.
Lee shattered multiple school records, including the record for most total bases in a season, eclipsing the previous mark set back in 2016. Her 67 RBIs not only set a new school record but also demonstrated her exceptional ability to bring runs home when it mattered most.
The entire infield of the Mississippi College softball team performed at an astonishing level, resulting in a well-deserved recognition by the GSC. All four infielders: Jenna Ergle, Brooke Fagan, Jordan LaFosse, and Jordan Moore, along with Lee at catcher, and pitcher Camryn Bailey, were named either 1st or 2nd Team All-GSC selections, exemplifying their unwavering dedication and outstanding skills.
Jenna Ergle, the Lady Choctaws dynamic first baseman, earned an at-large selection on the GSC 1st Team. Jordan LaFosse also received an at-large selection and deservedly claimed a spot on the 1st Team All-GSC. Additionally, Brooke Fagan, showcased her tremendous talent and secured a spot on the 2nd Team All-GSC.
The 2023 team also witnessed the emergence of rising freshman star Shelby Samples. Samples quickly made a mark in the outfield, capturing the GSC Freshman of the Week award on four separate occasions throughout the 2023 season. Samples' electrifying performances highlighted her immense potential and made her an invaluable asset to the team.
Kamryn Eaton, etched her name into the school's history books with a single-season home run record of 17 homers.
Camryn Bailey, made an immediate impact in her debut season in the circle, earning 24 victories, a remarkable feat that tied her for the most wins in a single season in school history.
The Lady Choctaws had four members also earn All-South Region honors with McCall Lee, Kamryn Eaton, and Shelby Samples each being named to the 1st Team, while Brooke Fagan was tabbed to the second team.
Individual records were not the only ones shattered by MC this season. They collectively demolished numerous school records, leaving a lasting mark on the program's legacy. The team's relentless pursuit of excellence resulted in a new record for the most wins in a season, surpassing the previous milestone set in 2019 (40 wins), as MC finished with 43 wins on the year. Additionally, their unwavering dominance in the GSC led to a new benchmark for the most conference wins (24 GSC wins) in a single season.
Offensively, they shattered the record for the most runs scored, hits, home runs, RBIs, and total bases in a single season. Their explosive offensive firepower, led by the quartet of Eaton, Lee, Ergle, and Fagan, led to 60 home runs.
Mississippi College softball's historic season will forever be remembered, finishing with a historic overall record of 43-12. The team's unparalleled achievements, individual accolades, and record-breaking performances have etched their names into the history books.
