Southern Hurricanes Profile

 

The softball girls of the Southern Hurricanes 12U in the Hattiesburg area are proud of their team. With their own web site since January of 2007, featuring photos and facts about the team, the Hurricanes have come a long way since beginning in April 2005. These girls have a history together, with seven of the 12 members having been with the Hurricanes since the beginning.

This is the Hurricanes’ first year as a 12U team, so the players have had to adjust to a 12-inch ball, instead of 11, and a 40 ft distance between the pitcher’s mound and home plate, instead of 35.

 

The Hurricanes are coached by Ray Lewis and Bob Dykes, and assisted by Eric Peters and Paul Powell.

 

The Hurricanes have won 28 of 35 tournament games this season. In all of their tournaments this year, the Hurricanes have finished 3rd place out of 11 to 15 teams participating. Lewis attributes the Hurricanes’ success to “sound fundamentals in every aspect of the game. I guess that’s why we are where we are.” The Hurricanes’ biggest strength, Lewis said, is how they play as a team. “Lots of the girls work hard on their own and with their dads,” he said. “Gotta give those dads a lot of credit.”

 

Lewis, who conducts the team’s administrative duties, also coaches pitchers, defense and is the 3rd base coach. Dykes, who built an indoor facility for the team to conduct off-season workouts, conducts all of the hitting instruction, assists with fielding and throwing fundamentals, and makes all of the pitching changes during games. "We're different, but Bob and I compliment each other very well," Lewis said.

 

The coaches’ team goal for this season is to win a state championship. With school ending, the Hurricanes’ practice schedule will become more rigorous in the weeks ahead. More information about the Hurricanes can be found at  http://www.eteamz.com/southernhurricanes/.

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Highlights of Southern Hurricanes’ History:

 

  • 2005—won the Mississippi ASA South State, ASA State, and NSA State Championships.
  • 2005—placed Runner-Up in the USSSA World Series
  • 2006—won the USFA MS State Championship and placed Runner Up in the MS ASA Class "A" State Championship and the USFA Gulf Coast State Championship
  • 2006—finished the Fall season in Birmingham, 2nd place out of 11 teams.
  • 2007—went to the USFA "B" World Series and tied for 5th place
  • 2007—went to the ASA 10U "A" Natioanl Championship and tied for 17th place.
  • 2008—17-3 in tournament play (as of late May)

 

2008 Southern Hurricanes Roster

 

  • Alexis “Boo” Peters—2nd base and outfield
  • Brittney “Fence Post” McCray—1st and 2nd base
  • Callen “Bubbles” Gibson
  • Constance “Ice Q” Quinn—shortstop
  • Erica “Ricky-Girl” Lewis—pitcher, outfielder
  • Kaleigh “K.P.” Powell—3rd base, catcher
  • Kalyn “Turbo” Watts—shortstop
  • Lauren “Bug” Welch—pitcher, outfielder
  • Rachel “Bull” Davis—2nd base, pitcher, outfielder, left-handed batter
  •  Reagan “Raginski” Dykes—catcher, middle infield
  • Savannah “Vannah” Lyon
  • Taylor “Tater-Bug” Chandler—outfield