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Georgia Perimeter College pitcher Ashley Cowan and catcher Heather Howell earned scholarships to Georgia State University to finish their athletic and academic careers.
Ashley Cowan Heather Howell

In 114 innings, Cowan (Eastside High School) fanned 92 batters and led GPC on the mound this season, finishing with a 10-0 conference record and 12-5-2overall. She was also named to the All-Region team.

For two consecutive years, Howell (George Walton High School) led Georgia Perimeter at the plate and was consistently ranked among the top hitters in the Georgia Junior College Athletic Association Region XVII conference. With 91 appearances at the plate, Howell batted .429 with 21 runs, 23 RBIs and four homeruns.

Howell is a two-time All-Region selection for the Lady Jaguars in 2005 and 2006.

Cowan and Howell are two of three players under head coach Ed Schutte to play at Georgia State. In 2004, GPC ace Liz Hyman began her stint for the Lady Panthers.

GPC (34-12, 18-2) claimed the GJCAA regular season title and ended the regular season ranked No.22 in the NJCAA final poll

This will be a freshman season to remember for Georgia Perimeter College third baseman Kelly White, and in recognition of her efforts she has been named the 2006 Georgia Junior College Athletic Association Region XVII Co-Player of the Year.

White was instrumental in helping the Lady Jaguars win 34 games and their second regular season conference title in four years.

“Kelly is a great student of the game and one of the best players I have ever coached,” Schutte said. “She was very sound at third base and did an unbelievable job for us this season.”

Working on her hitting mechanics in the beginning of the season paid off for White because she evolved as the second best hitter on the team. With 109 appearances at the plate, White ranked No.10 in the conference, recording 30 runs, 44 hits, 29 RBIs, 13 doubles, six triples and three homeruns and batted (.404). She also received first team All-Region and All-Tournament honors.

During the season, White emerged as the team’s leader and Schutte relied on her to set the tone for the team by making big plays on offense and defense.

The Lady Jaguars (34-12, 18-2) ended the regular season ranked No.22 in the NJCAA final poll.

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May 1, 2006

With high expectations heading into the conference tournament, after winning the regular season title, the Georgia Perimeter College women’s softball team had reason to believe that this might be the year for a conference sweep.

However, a two-run lead in the sixth-inning was not enough to hold off a late rally by Darton College, as the Lady Jaguars fell 9-4 in the Georgia Junior College Athletic Association Region XVII conference tournament championship game Sunday.

GPC defeated Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College 4-3 in the second round Friday, before Darton handed the Lady Jaguars their first loss in the quarterfinals, 12-3. Georgia Perimeter topped Young Harris 3-1 in the semifinals, to advance to the championship game.

The top hitters in the tournament for Georgia Perimeter were Kelly White (.500), Kasey McPherson (.454) and Beth Tullis (.366).

Despite losing the championship, the Lady Jaguars enjoyed a great season, claiming their second regular season title in four years. Schutte was named the Region XVII Coach of the Year, after guiding his team to an 18-2 conference record, and White, a freshman, was named Player of the Year.

With 109 appearances at the plate, White recorded 30 runs, 44 hits, 29 RBIs, 13 doubles, six triples and three homeruns and batted (.404). White was also among the top hitters and received first team All-Region and All-Tournament honors.

Megan Toth and Beth Tullis were also named to the All-Tournament team. Among the other All-Region selections were pitcher Ashley Cowan - who recorded 12 wins and five

losses with 92 strike-outs in 114 innings - and two-time honorees McPherson, Shannon Cleland and Heather Howell. Howell led GPC at the plate with a .429 batting average, 21 runs, 23 RBIs and four homeruns. Cleland was second on the team in runs scored with 27.

The Georgia Perimeter College women’s softball team claimed its second regular season title in four years with a 9-1 and 13-0 series sweep of Georgia Military College on the road Tuesday.

The Lady Jaguars finished the season 18-2 in conference play and 32-10 overall and have won 13 of its final 14 conference games.

“It is a tremendous achievement for this year’s team,” said head coach Ed Schutte. “ I feel like we have the best chance of winning the region tournament, if our bats stay alive and our pitching remain consistent.”

Ashley Cowan (10-0) and Missy Herren (8-2) were the winning pitchers for GPC against Georgia Military.

Heather Howell (.577) led the Lady Jaguars at the plate this season along with Kelly White (.500), Kasey McPherson (.482), Brooke Borders (.357) and Shannon Cleland (.333), who were also among the leading hitters in the region.

The Lady Jaguars have a first-round bye in the region tournament at Valdosta State University this weekend and will play the winner of Young Harris and Abraham Baldwin Friday, Apr. 28.

Kelly White’s third-inning homerun in game one allowed the Georgia Perimeter College women’s softball team to sweep conference opponent Young Harris 6-4 and 2-1 at the Jaguar Complex Friday.

“She is really striking the ball,” said GPC head coach Ed Schutte. “I hope it lasts another four weeks.”

Shannon Cleland also had a solo homerun in game one and Heather Howell went two-for-three at the plate.

Beth Tullis’ double in the second inning secured the victory for the Lady Jaguars in game two. Missy Herren was the winning pitching, allowing on three hits.

Next, the Lady Jaguars (30-10 and 16-2) will be on the road against Georgia Military College Tuesday, Apr. 25, in a 2:00 p.m. game. GPC can claim the regular season title with a win.

The Georgia Perimeter College women’s softball team split with Darton College 10-8 and 6-8 in region XVII action Saturday at Columbus State.

Kelly White’s seven-inning blast in game one lifted the Lady Jaguars (26-10) over Darton 10-8 and kept GPC one game in front of the Lady Cavaliers, heading into next week’s regional tournament. White was 3-for-5 in game one.

Ashley Cowan (12-5) pitched five strong innings in the first game to hold a 6-0 lead early in game one, but faltered and allowed a comeback by Darton.

Darton won the second game 8-6 to stay in contention for the region title. Herren was the losing pitcher in game two.

The Lady Jaguars must win their final six games tp win the regional regular season title, starting with Truett-McConnell on the road Tuesday, Apr. 18 followed by Young Harris at home Friday, Apr. 21.

Georgia Perimeter claims share of first place in region

Georgia Perimeter College softball team remains on top of the Georgia Junior College Athletic Association Region XVII conference with victories over South Georgia College 9-1 and 11-0 Friday and Andrew College 10-2 and 7-3 Saturday.

Pitcher Missy Herron (7-1) threw a no-hitter in the second game against South Georgia along with one walk and six strike-outs.

The top hitters for the Lady Jaguars over the weekend were Kelly White (.667), Heather Howell (.583), Kasey McPherson (.583) and Shannon Cleland (.500). Howell and Cleland hit solo homeruns against South Georgia. McPherson, Nicole Borders and Megan Toth hit solo blasts against Andrew.

GPC’s current 12-game winning streak breaks the previous record of eight. The Lady Jaguars are 13-5 overall and 4-0 in the conference and will host Gordon College Thursday, Mar.23, at 2:00 p.m. and Abraham Baldwin, Friday, Mar. 24.

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March 5, 2006

Georgia Perimeter and Gulf Coast finish first in Spring Invitational

For the second consecutive year, the Georgia Perimeter College women’s softball team finished in first place with a 4-0 record in its Spring Invitational held Mar. 3 and 4 at the Jaguar complex.

Ashley Cowan (3-3) pitched the first game victories over Walter’s State 4-0 and Columbia State 5-4. Freshman pitcher Missy Herron, who is 4-1 on the season, completed the sweep, 9-1 and 5-1, with wins over the same teams in the second game.

The top hitters for Georgia Perimeter were Heather Howell (.538), Kelly White (.583) and Kasey McPherson (.500).

Gulf Coast Community College also finished 4-0 with victories over FCCJ and Young Harris.

Next, the Lady Jaguars will host conference opponent Georgia Military Tuesday, Mar. 7, at 2:00 p.m. at the Jaguar complex located on GPC’s Dunwoody campus.

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February 28, 2006

Lady Jaguars smother Middle Georgia

The Georgia Perimeter College women’s softball team rebounded from last year’s loss to Middle Georgia College at the regional tournament, beating the Warriors 3-2 and 15-5 at home Tuesday.

In the first game, pitcher Ashley Cowan threw a complete game and got her first victory on the season with a 3-2 win and sophomore Shannon Cleland recorded two RBI’s, including the game-winning run.

Kelly White, who went 2-for-4, also hit a solo blast in the first inning to put Georgia Perimeter on the board after 4-0 early in the second game. GPC’s bats went to work in the fourth inning with 14 hits and nine spots scoring. Brooke Borders three run blast in the fifth inning secured the win for the Lady Jaguars. Missy Herron was the winning pitcher in game 2.

Beth Tullis, Borders, Cleland, and Heather Howell all recorded two hits in the second game.

GPC will host its annual Spring Invitational March 3-5, at the Jaguar Complex located on the Dunwoody campus.

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February 27, 2006

Bats explode behind Herron’s one hitter

Four homeruns and 10 hits were more than enough for the Georgia Perimeter College women’s softball team to defeat Gadsen State 12-0 in the Gulf Coast Community College Beach Classic in Panama City Saturday.

Megan Toth (2), Valerie Tomme (2) and Kasey McPherson each hit long blasts to secure the win for the Lady Jaguars.

Starting pitcher Missy Herron picked up her first win on the season that will be remembered by head coach Ed Schutte as “a freshman who wants to contribute.”

“She hit her spots consistently throughout the game and had great repore with catcher Toth,” said Schutte. “It was a great start in a big game for a freshman.”

GPC finished 1-3 in the Classic with losses to Gulf Coast 16-3, Okaloosa-Walton 10-2 and Tallahassee 3-0.

The Lady Jaguars will host Middle Georgia College Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2:00 p.m., at the Jaguar Complex located on the Dunwoody campus.

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February 15, 2006

GPC goes down in season opener

It was a tough opening day on the mound and at the plate for the Georgia Perimeter College women’s softball team as the Lady Jaguars fell, 7-2 and 6-0, to Emory University Tuesday at the Jaguar Complex.

GPC jumped out early with a 2-0 lead in the first game, but could not hold the lead as starting pitcher Ashley Cowan gave up eight hits in the fourth inning. Freshman Missy Herren came on in relief for the last three innings and allowed only one hit.

In the second game, Emory’s Kathy Gordon threw a shut-out for the Lady Eagles.

Georgia Perimeter’s Kelly White, Shannon Cleland, Beth Tullis, and Heather Howell recorded two hits in the series.

Next, the Lady Jaguars will travel to Panama City for the Gulf Coast Tournament Feb. 25, before hosting Middle Georgia College Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 2:00 p.m. All home games are played on the Dunwoody campus.

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February 9, 2006

GPC ranks No. 26 in preseason poll

The Georgia Perimeter College women’s softball team ranked No. 26 in the National Junior College Athletic Association preseason poll released Feb. 8.

The Lady Jaguars finished the 2005 season 34-17 and looks to build on last year’s success. GPC opens the season on the road in the St. Petersburg Classic Feb. 3-4, before hosting Emory University in its home opener Feb. 14, 2:00 p.m., at the Jaguar Complex located on the Dunwoody campus.

Georgia Perimeter’s annual Spring Invitational scheduled for March 3-4, at the Jaguar Complex will include Walter’s State and Columbia College.

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                                                                                                               December 21, 2005

                                      Luella's Hellinger commits to GPC

Rachel Hellinger, a three year starter and defensive player of the year at AAAA finalist Luella High School, has accepted a full scholarship to play softball at Georgia Perimeter College next season.

Hellinger will anchor the third base position next year and "should develop quickly into one of the best in our region," according to GPC head coach Ed Schutte.

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November 29, 2005

Heritage high school shortstop commits to GPC

Heritage High School shortstop, Brittany Daniels, committed Wednesday to play softball for head coach Ed Schutte at Georgia Perimeter College next season.

Daniels was a three year starter at Heritage and the team’s defensive and offensive player of the year last season.

“She is a very strong defensive player and will anchor our middle infield for the next two years,” said Schutte.

Daniels is the daughter of Tammy Logan of Rockdale, GA

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Paulding ace signs with Georgia Perimeter

Brooke Maulding, starting pitcher from Paulding High School, committed to play softball at Georgia Perimeter College next season.

"Brooke should dominate our region next season, providing she learns more pitches and develops a more effective mental game on the mound," said GPC head coach Ed Schutte.

Maulding was a power pitcher at Paulding, whom Schutte expects to come into next season as a starter. She threw a number of different pitches and recorded several no-hitters as a senior last season.

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November 8, 2005

Collins Hill catcher commits to Georgia Perimeter

Dunwoody, GA -Collins Hill senior catcher Shelley Jenkins has accepted a full scholarship to Georgia Perimeter College for the 2007-2008 season.

Jenkins was a three year starter with the Lady Eagles and helped the squad to a region championship in 2004 and the 2005 5-A state championship.

According to head coach Ed Schutte, “she has good leadership skills behind the plate and will be a big asset for us next season.”

She is the daughter of Tammy and Keith Jenkins of Lawrenceville.

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November 10, 2005

Mill Creek's Franklin signs with Georgia Perimeter

Dunwoody, GA -Mill Creek catcher Des Franklin has received a full scholarship to play for head coach Ed Schutte at Georgia Perimeter College for the 2007-2008 season.

“She is a very sound defensive catcher that will bring a strong bat in the middle of the lineup next year,” said Schutte.

Franklin was the starting catcher for the Mill Creek Hawks. She is the daughter of Greg and Stacy Franklin.

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