National recognition should come soon for Scott Hill and his East Central Community College fast-pitch softball team, which improved to 12-1-1 following recent doubleheader sweeps. 

The Lady Diamond Warriors clipped Holmes by scores of 4-2 and 10-1 Saturday on the Goodman campus and defeated East Mississippi 5-1 and 8-1 Thursday in Decatur.

Sophomore Brittany Cochran and freshman Kaci Buckley belted doubles each to lead the EC offense in the opener.  Both are products of Newton County High School.

Freshman hurler Taylor Bailey got the win and improved to 5-1. Bailey is a product of Bowie High School in Austin, Texas.

In the second contest, Bailey homered for the EC offense, which tallied six runs in the first inning and cruised to the five-inning victory. 

Buckley was the winning pitcher and improved to 7-0.

 In the sweep over East Mississippi, Bailey slapped a doubled and single, Paige Holsen of Union had two singles and Summer Alexander homered to lead the EC offense. Alexander is a product of Newton County High School.

Other sluggers were Lauren Nicholas of Neshoba Central, Cochran and Hannah Lee of Leake Academy, singles each.

Bailey picked up the win, as she allowed one run on one hit through 5 2/3 innings. She also fanned four batters.

 In the second game, Buckley belted two home runs and Lee homered and singled to lead the offense. Also credited with multiple hits were Nicholas and Sierra Farlow of Neshoba Central, two singles each. Other sluggers were Alexander and Cochran, doubles each; and Hailey Chisolm of Neshoba Central and Shelby Smith of Union, singles each.

Buckley was the winning pitcher. She hurled five scoreless innings and allowed five hits. She also fanned four batters and walked one.

The Lady Diamond Warriors travel to Mississippi Delta Monday, March 8 and Jones County Wednesday, March 10. East Central hosts Pearl River Friday, March 12.