It’s all coming to an end for Logan Waggoner.
But as the Central Academy senior contemplated what could be the end of her softball career, she took comfort in the fact it could end today in the Mississippi Association of Independent School Class A Senior All-Star game at 2:30 p.m. today at Mississippi College.
“It is pretty awesome,” Waggoner said of the honor. I have been working hard since I started playing in sixth grade. It is a really good honor.”
Hebron Christian’s Beverly Blake will join Waggoner in the Senior softball game.
In soccer, Immanuel Christian’s Meghan Cooper will play for the North and Starkville Academy’s Bailey Clark will play for the South in the annual matchups that pit the top seniors from the state against each other. The 10th annual All-Star Game will be at 3 p.m. today at Mississippi College.
Waggoner, who transferred from Heritage Academy prior to the start of the 2011 slow-pitch season in the spring, said she hoped she would get a chance to end her career playing against some of the state’s top players. She said she enjoyed her final fast-pitch season at Central Academy (the team finished 10-15 and third in its district to miss the postseason) and hopes she will have a chance to play slow-pitch softball in the spring. She said the school might not have a team because of the shortage of MAIS teams that play the sport in the spring.
“She batted well and played great defense. She always has,” Central Academy coach Sammy Lindsey said. “She got a lot of clutch hits (in No. 3 hole) and put the ball in play. She only struck out a few times.”
Lindsey also praised the leadership of Waggoner, the only senior on the team. With only 11 players on the team, Lindsey said Waggoner often played other positions like catcher or third base in the ‘B’ game to fill out the roster.
Waggoner said it was “weird” being the only senior on the team, but she said she welcomed the chance to be a leader and to help her younger teammates if they needed advice or help.
Waggoner hopes she will get a chance to play softball at the next level. She plans to go to Mississippi State if she doesn’t get an opportunity. With that in mind, she plans to make the most of her chance today.
“I have been thinking about it for two days now,” Waggoner said. “I might be good in my town, but these girls are really good, and everybody is good wherever they come from. It is going to be a lot different than playing with my friends. I hope I do good.”
Blake played a key role on a young Hebron Christian team that lost in the North State tournament. She hit .425 and had a .917 fielding percentage at shortstop.
“Beverly is the type of player that makes coaching fun,” Hebron Christian coach Cass Tapley said. “She is one of those that you can easily take for granted because she is always consistent. Every practice, every game, good grades in the classroom, and she can play any where you need her. She will always work hard and you will never hear her complain no matter how many positions I moved her to.
“More importantly, she is an outstanding kid, the type of kid you would want yours to grow up to be. This year she and Tori (Nichols) provided the type of leadership we needed. They were always positive and encouraging especially to the younger players.”
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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