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No. 11 Pearl River softball looking to take another leap in 2025

Dylan Dunaway - PRCC Sports Information Director


POPLARVILLE, Miss. — The Pearl River softball team has been one of the top teams in the country over the last two seasons, winning more than 40 games in back-to-back seasons. As the focus flips to 2025, the preseason 11th-ranked Wildcats are eager to take another leap.


It will be a younger Pearl River team than in years past, but the Wildcats brought in a talented group of freshmen to go with its six key returners.

"This team is young, but our sophomores have done a good job leading," head coach Christie Meeks said. "Something we have tried to teach the freshman is to not be bothered — to reset to neutral when necessary instead of getting too high or too low.


"The biggest part is knowing that the discipline is a standard. When we go out, our job is to perform and perform as a team. This group is getting that."



Pearl River challenged itself in the non-conference portion of its schedule in hopes that it will prepare the Wildcats for MACCC action. During the non-conference schedule, PRCC will face No. 11 Gulf Coast State, No. 15 Chattanooga State, No. 7 Johnson County, No. 1 Indian River, No. 13 Danville Area and No. 5 Walters State.


"It's hard to replicate the intensity of a conference doubleheader," Meeks said. "Playing a tough non-conference like we do is the only way to prepare for what is ahead. We had a tough fall that helped us grow every game, so we think things will be the same with the non-conference schedule."


Pearl River recently named its lone team captain for the year, Caroline Lindsey (Gulfport). Lindsey picked up big hit after big hit for the Wildcats as a freshman and will lead with her actions on and off the field.


"Caroline is our only captain this year," Meeks said. "Her composure, demeanor, and everything she is about is what this program is about. She has a great opportunity to lead."


"She embodies everything that the program stands for," associate head coach Katelyn Gruich said. "She's first class, blue collar and a top-of-the-line kid. She deserves it."


IN THE CIRCLE

It will be a different look in the circle for the Wildcats in 2025 as they plan to deploy a true staff.

"It'll be different than what we've had in the past," Meeks said. "It should be a true staff. Our five pitchers complement each other. There may be a game where you see multiple pitchers be run out."


Freshman Ana-Grace Garcia (Baton Rouge, La.; St. Joseph's) has earned this season's starting role. She was a 3-time All-District athlete in high school.

"AG separates herself from many pitchers because of her ability to keep hitters off guard," Meeks said. "She mixes spin with speed. It's tough to get your timing down against her."


Gracey Harbour (Batesville; South Panola) transferred to PRCC from Jones College and will see time in the circle for the Wildcats. 


"Gracey has increased in her speed and improved with her mentality. She has that dog mentality," Meeks said. "She lets her defense help her and moves her pitches on two different planes."


Ballard Kraft (Liberty; Amite School Center) comes to PRCC after a decorated high school career, which saw her strike out 829 batters in her four-year high school career.


"She's competitive. Her pitches stay in a lower zone," Meeks said. "She keeps hitters off guard and will be tough to face."


Lizzie Meeks (Ripley; Pine Grove) had an equally impressive high school career, leading her team to a 1A State Championship as a senior.

"Lizzie has disgusting movement and throws pretty hard," Meeks said. "She can throw 64, then turn around and throw a changeup in the 40s. She's calm on the field."


Nicholls State transfer Kai Goodman (New Orleans, La.; John Curtis) will also see plenty of time in the circle. She led her high school team to three Division I State Championships.


"Kai makes hitters do what she wants," Meeks said. "She's smart in the circle and knows what she wants in outs."


Sophomores Anna Kate Rounsaville (Gulfport) and Peyton Hoffmayer (Ocean Springs) could also be options for the Wildcats in the circle.


AROUND THE DIAMOND

Pearl River has a lot of quality players on the offensive side this season and should be dynamic at the plate.

"We are proud that we aren't one dimensional at the plate," Gruich said. "We balance it all well. We have a good mix of gap-to-gap, speed and the long ball. That's what makes us who we are."


Pearl River has three options behind the plate that will see plenty of time in Lindsey, Cailey Pervel (Carriere; Pearl River Central) and Caitlyn Riche (Walker, La.). Lindsey hit .330 with seven doubles, four homers and 18 RBIs as a freshman. Riche hit .308 with seven doubles, two homers and 16 RBIs last season. Pervel helped lead Pearl River Central to three consecutive District Championships from 2022-24.


"All three of them have great arm strength and are smart behind the plate," Meeks said. "They each catch different pitchers well, so they will split time."

First base will also be shared between Maeli Ben (Conehatta; Newton County), Harbour and Hoffmayer. Harbour hit .306 for Jones College last season. Hoffmayer was fantastic as a freshman, hitting .386 with 12 homers and 57 RBIs. 


"All three of them have different pros," Meeks said. "It will boil down to hitting and the speed we need in those games."


At second base will be Rounsaville and Kirsten Williams (Saucier; West Harrison). Riche could also get time at the position.

"Anna Kate brings maturity and experience to second base," Meeks said. "KK brings a bit more of a wild card and gets to balls that normally wouldn't be reached."


Shortstop will be anchored by the left-handed hitting Nicholls State transfer Goodman. Goodman will hit leadoff for the Wildcats and be a threat to steal each time she's on the bases. Natalee Eaves (Louisville; Choctaw Central) will play shortstop when Goodman pitches.


"Kai is the definition of a triple threat," Gruich said. "She will come at you with the short game, chopping or standing in and hitting for power. She will set the table for us."


Third base will be a combination of Lindsey, Williams, Pervel and Alexa Womack (Prairieville, La.; Dutchtown). Womack hit .289 across 26 games as a freshman. She hit four doubles and two triples.



"Caroline, Lex, Pervel and Kirsten have worked so hard and learned so much at the position," Meeks said. "All of them have a powerful arm and have gotten much better at reading bunts."


The outfield positions will be a mix each game. Emmaleigh Theriot (Prairieville, La.l St. Amant) has earned time in left field. She led her high school team to three 5A State Championships.


"Emmaleigh can slap, hit for power and lay down a bunt," Meeks said. "She takes away some hits with her speed."


Eaves will play centerfield when she isn't at shortstop. 

"She is unbelievable at getting to balls and getting them back in," Meeks said. "Her arm strength is fantastic." 


Right field will be a mix of Hoffmayer, Womack and Williams.

"Peyton (Hoffmayer) can do big things at the plate and seeing her growth with the things she's been learning has been great," Meeks said. "She's faster and is more in control in the outfield this year."


Carsyn Mott (Collinsville; West Lauderdale) can effectively play all three positions and will see time at any of them.

Mott sets herself apart with her effective communication and confidence in the outfield," Meeks said. 


With PRCC's plethora of utility players, designated player will be a flexible position for the Wildcats. Ben, Harbour, Pervel, Williams or Rounsaville could all get at-bats there.


"I think we could choose anyone off the bench, and they could fill that role perfectly," Meeks said.


GETTING STARTED

The Wildcats head to Youngsville, La. on Saturday for games against National Park and Bossier Parish. There will be no livestream for the contests.


TICKETS

Season and single-game tickets are on sale now at PRCCAthletics.com/Tickets. Season passes are $88 and single-game tickets are $8 if purchased in advance or $10 if purchased on the day of the game.


TUNE IN

The Wildcats will once again livestream all games for free at PRCCMedia.com/gold. Fans who have Roku, Amazon Fire or Apple TV devices can also watch the Wildcat broadcasts by downloading the "Pearl River CC" channel from their app stores.   


For the latest on Pearl River Community College athletics, follow us on X (@PRCCAthletics) and Facebook (PRCCAthletics). 

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