May 5, 2005
Five Lady Jaguars named to softball All-Region team
Dunwoody, GA – Georgia Perimeter College third baseman, sophomore Nicole Cooper (Rockdale High School), leads the list of GPC region XVII All-Region honorees as a first team selection.
With five players named to the All-Region team, GPC proved why it was a tough contender in the Georgia Junior College Athletic Association conference.
Cooper ranked among the conference leaders with 46 hits and 27 runs scored and was second on the team in both statistical categories.
Andrea Moss (22-6-2), a junior college transfer, earned an All-region second team selection for her performance on the mound this season. Moss led the GJCAA with 22 wins and finished fourth in the conference with 183 strikeouts. Overall, Moss is third best in the conference with a .97 ERA, pitching 173 innings, and 23rd among junior college players.
A trio of freshmen was also named to the All-Region second team including catcher Heather Howell (George Walton High School), center fielder Shannon Cleland (North Forsyth High School) and first baseman Kasey McPherson (Central Forsyth High School). They led GPC at the plate, hitting over .300 on the season.
Howell (.381) is ranked fifth in the conference with 27 runs, 53 hits, 34 RBI's and seven homeruns, while Cleland (.343), ranked No. 9 with 26 runs, 46 hits and 19RBIs. First baseman McPherson (.319) recorded 32 RBIs, 18 doubles. 37 runs scored, 46 hits and three homeruns.
The Lady Jaguars finished the season ranked No. 24 in the nation among junior colleges and third in the GJCAA.
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May 2, 2005
Two heartbreaking losses end GPC’s hopes of conference championship
Valdosta, GA – The Georgia Perimeter College softball team’s hope for a conference championship and a national tournament bid ended Sunday with two disappointing extra inning losses to Middle Georgia 1-0 and Coastal Georgia 2-3 in the Georgia Junior College Athletic Association conference tournament in Valdosta.
It was déjà vu for the Jaguars, who saw their chances of a conference championship diminish as a line drive up the middle of the field in the ninth inning brought in the winning run for Coastal Georgia. GPC had seen the same kind of winning play early that day as they fell to Middle Georgia.
“It was a job uncompleted,” said head coach Ed Schutte, who saw his most talented team come up short at the plate in the two losses.
Ashley Whitaker (South Gwinnett High School), an All-Tournament selection, gave GPC its only three hits in the game against Middle Georgia with three singles. GPC had a chance to score in the ninth inning, but a questionable call out at the plate denied the Jaguars the run.
Georgia Perimeter (34-17, 14-4) could not regroup against Coastal Georgia, a team they had blasted 14-5 in the second round of the tournament, for the right to play in the championship game.
In the first two games, GPC came out swinging with 22 hits in victories over Darton College 8-7 and Coastal Georgia. Ashely Cowan relieved starting pitcher Andrea Moss in the fifth inning of the game against Darton and allowed only two hits and no runs while striking out two batters. A RBI single by freshman catcher Megan Toth lifted GPC over Darton in the eighth inning.
The Jaguars scored nine runs in the seventh inning against Coastal Georgia, capped by Whitaker’s two homeruns, including a three-run rip over center field in the seventh. Shannon Cleland also smashed a three-run homerun while Heather Howell and Nicole Cooper both hit RBI doubles.
Toth joined Whitaker on the All-tournament team for the Jaguars.
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April 25, 2005
Lady Jaguars enter region tournament No. 2 seed
After splitting a two game series with Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (2-1, 2-3), the Georgia Perimeter College softball team enters the Georgia Junior College Athletic Association conference tournament the No. 2 seed behind regular season champion Middle Georgia College.
“This could be the toughest region in recent history,” according to head coach Ed Schutte. “I truthfully feel we have as good of a chance as any team if our hitters show up.”
The Lady Jaguars (32-15, 12-4 conference) has a first round bye and begin play Friday at 5:00 p.m. The tournament will be held at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, GA
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April 20, 2005
GPC retires Hyman’s jersey
Former GPC pitching sensation Elizabeth Hyman had her No. 3 softball jersey retired during Georgia Perimeter’s final conference home game Saturday. It is the first time in school history that such an honor has been given to a student-athlete.
“She developed our program to national recognition,” said head coach Ed Schutte, who coached while Hyman played at Georgia Perimeter. “She is well-deserving.”
Hyman, who earned All-Region and All-Tournament selections, led the Lady Jaguars softball team to a 30-18 overall record in 2003 and a Georgia Junior College regular season championship. In 2003, Hyman (17-8) recorded a 0.721 (ERA) and 157 strikeouts while pitching 165 innings for the Jaguars.
Hyman is currently a junior at Georgia State University, where she is a standout pitcher for the Panthers. Through 48 games she is 11-17 with a 1.27 ERA and 202 strikeouts.
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April 11, 2005
Lady Jaguars remain on top of conference with wins over Darton College
The no. 24 ranked Georgia Perimeter College softball team remains on top of the Georgia Junior College Athletic Association region XVII conference with a series sweep of Darton College 4-1, 8-2 Saturday.
“Our offense came to play today,” said head coach Ed Schutte.
Freshman Heather Howell (George Walton H.S., Lithonia, GA), who leads GPC at the plate, .415 batting average, was a big factor in game one with a home run blast over left field, which gave the Lady Jaguars a 3-0 lead.
Andrea Moss,15-5, (Lake City C.C., Waterloo, SC.) pitched a complete game in game one giving up only three hits and striking out six. Ashley Cowan (Eastside H.S., Social Circle, GA) recorded her fourth save on the season after relieving Moss in the third inning of the second game.
Nicole Cooper (Rockdale H.S., Conyers, GA) and Randi Guerra (Grayson H.S., Grayson, GA) also contributed with timely hits in both games.
“This week is very important and will set the stage for the region playoff,” Schutte said. “If our offense comes to play we have a very good chance to win it all.”
The Lady Jaguars will host four conference games at home this week against Middle Georgia, April 11, Gordon College, April 13, Georgia Military College, April 15 and Coastal Georgia, April 16. All games will begin at 2:00 p.m. and are played on GPC’s Dunwoody campus softball field located at 2101 Womack road.
-GPC-
March 29, 2005
Lady Jaguars softball team dominates Tennessee road trip
The Georgia Perimeter College softball team continued its dominance, winning eight consecutive road games and eleven of its last twelve while sweeping Cleveland State 13-0, 15-2 and Walters State 11-1, 1-0 over the weekend.
“We are certainly on a great roll right now,” said head coach Ed Schutte.
The Lady Jaguars (21-10, 4-0 GJCAA conference) were hot at the plate with 53 hits in four games and a team batting average of .317. “Our offense was on fire all weekend,” Schutte said.
The freshmen class of Heather Howell, Megan Toth, Shannon Cleland and Kasey McPherson are among the conference hitting leaders. The foursome has combined for 138 hits, 76 runs and eight homeruns. Howell, Toth and Cleland are in the top ten with batting averages of .422, .369 and .344 respectively, while McPherson is ninth in the GJCAA and leads the team with 13 RBIs.
While the Lady Jaguars are getting it done at the plate, the pitching rotation of Andrea Moss, Ashley Cowan and Ashley Whitaker is working well on the mound. Moss recorded her fourteenth win of the season giving her a top 30 national ranking. She leads the team and is second in the conference with 106 strikeouts and an ERA of .136.
According to Schutte, Cowan “pitched her best game of the season,” shutting out Walters State 1-0. “We saw the real Cowan this weekend,” Schutte said. “If she continues to pitch like that and Moss stays on her game we will be hard to beat.” Cowan leads the GJCAA with three saves.
The Lady Jaguars complete their 11-game road trip Wednesday, March 30, at Young Harris College for a 4:00 p.m. game before hosting Spartanburg Methodist, Tuesday, April 5, at 2:00 p.m. on GPC’s Dunwoody campus.
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March 14, 2005
GPC finishes third in Leadoff Classic
Twenty-four leading junior college softball teams merged in LaGrange, GA over the weekend for the Leadoff Classic, where the Georgia Perimeter Lady Jaguars rallied for a third place finish in the silver division with two big victories over Darton 5-2 and Tallahassee 3-2 Sunday.
“It was an exciting time playing against great competition,” said head coach Ed Schutte.
Wallace, which won the Gold Division, delivered a heartbreaking 2-1 extra inning victory over the Lady Jaguars Saturday.
“I felt we had our chances in the eighth inning, but we could not get the big hit,” Schutte said. “Ashley Whitaker led the inning off with a triple, but we could not get her home.”
Disappointing losses to Gulf Coast 10-1 and Pensacola 3-0 led the Lady Jaguars into Sunday’s competition. However, the squad rebounded strongly for big wins over Darton and Tallahassee.
Andrea Moss led Georgia Perimeter (12-9) to its two victories. According to Schutte, “she proved over the weekend that she is one of the best in the nation.”
The tournament’s leading hitter was Heather Howell, who hit over .600 during the three days and smacked the game tying home-run against Tallahassee.
Megan Toth hit the game-winning RBI single in extra innings to lift GPC over Tallahassee. It was “a huge win,” said Schutte.
The Lady Jaguars begins a seven-game road trip against conference opponent Gordon College March 15, in Barnesville, GA at 3:00 p.m., before returning home April 1 for a 2:00 p.m. match-up with Abraham Baldwin at the Jaguar complex on GPC’s Dunwoody campus.
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March 7, 2005
Lady Jaguars finish first in GPC Spring Invitational
Dunwoody, GA - The Georgia Perimeter College softball team completed the weekend 2-0 in its first home invitational with wins over nationally ranked Louisburg College, 4-2 and Pitt 2-0.
“It was an exciting event with really good play over the two day event,” said head coach Ed Schutte. “We played great ball and had exceptional weather.”
Andrea Moss (5-2-1), ranked No. 21 nationally with an ERA of .69, pitched the winning game against Louisburg. Ashley Cowan threw the shut-out in game 2. “They both threw very will with great control,” Schutte said.
The leading hitter was Kasey McPherson, who hit .850 during the tournament. “She is quickly becoming one of the leading hitters in our region,” Schutte said.
The Jaguars begin their nine-game road trip March 8 against Spartanburg Methodist before heading to LaGrange, GA, to play in the Leadoff Classic, March 11 and 12.
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March 2, 2005
Whitaker lifts GPC over Middle Georgia
Ashley Whitaker’s (South Gwinnett High School) offense and defense helped Georgia Perimeter’s softball team to a 3-0 and 9-7 victory over Middle Georgia College Tuesday.
Whitaker’s two-run homerun in the first game gave GPC added insurance runs, as Andrea Moss (4-2) threw her second shut-out of the season. Shortstop Nicole Cooper (Rockdale High School) had four hits in four at-bats.
In the second game, Whitaker stepped up on defense as she pitched the last three innings of the game for the Jaguars. The leading hitters were Heather Howell (George Walton High School), who went 3-of-4 and Megan Toth (Hillcrest High School), who hit a two-run homerun to give GPC a two- run victory.
Georgia Perimeter had its best offensive performance of the season with 24 hits. The Lady Jaguars are on a four-game winning streak and will host its first Spring Invitational March 4-6 at the Jaguar Complex located on GPC’s Dunwoody campus.
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February 28, 2005
GPC softball finishes 2-2 at Gulf Coast Classic
The Georgia Perimeter College Lady Jaguars softball team completed play in the Gulf Coast Tournament February 25-26 with a 2-2 record.
The opening game against nationally ranked Gulf Coast Community College was a close game throughout, with the Commodores winning 4-2 in a seven-inning battle.
A disappointing second outing resulted in a 1-0 lost to Okaloosa-Walton in extra innings. “We had our chances,” commented head coach Ed Schutte, “but we could not get the timely hit, leaving 12 runners stranded.”
In the Lake City game, the Lady Jaguars dominated in a 10-1 victory. “This was a must game for us,” said Schutte.
The team finished strong with a 4-2 win over Tallahassee. The Lady Jaguars hit extremely well and played good defense.
Andrea Moss was the leading pitcher for the tournament going 2-1 with wins over Lake City and Tallahassee. She only gave up seven hits in three games. The leading hitters were Megan Toth (429), Shannon Cleland (417) and Kasey McPherson (400).
Georgia Perimeter will travel to play Middle Georgia March 1 in a 2:00 p.m. match-up before hosting its annual Spring Invitational March 4-6 on GPC’s Dunwoody campus.
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February 14, 2005
Georgia Perimeter softball inks seven top high school seniors
The Georgia Perimeter College softball team has signed seven talented seniors for the 2006 season and most of these players were All-State selections.
“There is a lot of potential among these players that will keep our program healthy through the next two years,” commented head coach Ed Schutte. “I am excited about getting started with this fine group,” said Schutte.
Members of the incoming freshman class include: Jennifer Barron, Pitcher/Wilkinson County High School, Brooke Borders OF/ Central Forsyth High School, Kara Foskey OF/Newton County High School, Missy Herren, Pitcher/Collins Hill High School, Katie Hulsey OF/ Grayson High School, Erica Ikerd IF/ Brookwood High School and Kelly White IF/Brookwood High School
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February 12, 2005
Moss throws one-hit shutout
Andrea Moss (1-1) pitched Georgia Perimeter softball team (3-4) to a 2-0 win in a double-header against Emory University Saturday at the Jaguar complex.
Moss struck out seven batters for her first win this season. “She only missed location on one pitch, an outstanding effort,” according to head coach Ed Schutte.
Megan Toth (Hillcrest High School) had the winning RBI and Kasey McPherson (Central Forsyth High School) led the team on 2-of-3 hitting.
The second game ended in a 2-1 loss for Georgia Perimeter. The Lady Jaguars will travel to Panama City, Florida to play in the Gulf Coast Tournament February 25-26.
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February 8, 2005
Whitaker opens with 2-game shutout in St. Petersburg Classic
Ashley Whitaker (South Gwinnett High School) threw two shut-out games for the Georgia Perimeter College softball team in the St. Petersburg Classic February 4-6. She blanked Lake Sumpter 8-0 Friday and followed up Sunday with an 8-0 win against Miami-Dade.
“Her spotting was outstanding,” said head coach Ed Schutte. In two 7-inning games Whitaker only walked one batter and allowed only three hits.
Georgia Perimeter finished 2-3 in the St. Petersburg Classic with losses to Santa Fe (3-6), Palm Beach (4-5), and Polk Community College (0-4). “A big disappointment,” according to Schutte, was the 9-inning loss to Palm Beach, in which the Lady Jaguars were leading 2-0 going into the seventh inning.
The leading hitters for Georgia Perimeter were Shannon Cleland (North Forsyth High School), Heather Howell (George Walton High School) and Randi Guerra (Grayson High School).
The Jaguars will host Emory University Saturday, Feb. 12, at 1:00 p.m. on GPC’s Dunwoody campus, located at 2101 Womack Road.
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January 20, 2005
