(NOTE: This is the final article in a three-part series previewing the Lady Wildcats' 2019 season.)
POPLARVILLE, Miss. — All of the Lady Wildcats' hard work over the last six months – the late nights in the hitting cage, the early morning workouts, the intrasquads – have all built up to this.
Pearl River's softball team will open its 2019 season Saturday with a doubleheader at Pensacola State College's invitational. PRCC will play Roane College at 3 p.m., before playing the host at 5 p.m.
'IT'S GAME WEEK'
Sophomore catcher Mary Grace Turner (Leakesville; Greene County) set off a chain reaction earlier in the week during the team's workout.
"IT'S GAME WEEK," the veteran backstop shouted, sending her excitement echoing throughout the weight room.
"Everybody responded and it kind of gave you some chills when you heard that," said coach Leigh White, who's set to begin her 16th season leading the program. "You know these kids are locked in and ready to go. They're ready to put these uniforms on and get out there."
Turner, who was a crucial reserve a year ago despite hitting .286 with a .434 on-base percentage in 21 games, said that's just part of who she is.
"I've always been the loud one, trying to get other people's energy to match mine to get a spark going. That was my role last year and I'm trying to bring it onto the field with me this year," she said. "The closer it gets to game day the louder I get. It just eats me alive. I absolutely love the environment here."
Turner isn't alone. Many of her fellow Lady Wildcats are also practically shaking in anticipation of Saturday's first pitch.
"It's definitely exciting considering we've worked all year for this. I'm ready to get to work with these girls," Dallas Blaker (Bay St. Louis; Our Lady Academy) said. "I think we're all ready."
SEE HOW WE STACK UP
As game week approached, the Lady Wildcats have taken practices to another level, almost buzzing in anticipation.
"The kids are excited and ready to get out there and face somebody else," White said. "The energy is very high. I'm ready for them to get out there and play somebody else to see where we're at and to see what we need to do to get ready for conference."
White likes to go outside of the state during non-conference to test her team. She believes she'll get her wish Saturday
"I would say we have one of the tougher schedules this year," she said. "The teams we're going to face, from this weekend to our invitational and at Gulf Shores, I want to play those teams. I want to see where our cracks are so we can be ready once we start conference.
"We're going out there to win, and we can beat these teams, but I want to know where we're at."
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
PSC is coming off of a 28-24 2018 season. The Pirates have already played four games this season, posting a 2-2 record against Santa Fe College, State College of Florida at Manatee-Sarasota, Richard Bland College and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Shayne O'Connell went 2-0 with 24 strikeouts and five walks in 14 2/3 innings. She has a 0.48 ERA. Like PRCC, Roane State will open its season this weekend. The Raiders were 19-32 last season.
BACK AT HOME
PRCC returns to Poplarville next weekend for the annual Wildcat Invitational. The Lady Wildcats will play Marion Military Institute and LSU-Eunice at 2 and 6 p.m. Feb. 8 and then play a doubleheader against Baton Rouge on Feb. 9, starting at 4 p.m. Each home game will be broadcast on PRCCAthletics.com.
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