Five MA Lady Patriots sign

Five Marshall Academy senior softball players fulfilled a dream the week before Thanksgiving.

Natalie Shaw, Hallie Turner, Christa Schultz, Carlie Vannucci and Zoey Rippee all signed to play at the next level.

Shaw is going to Gulf Coast Community College, Turner and Schultz to Itawamba Community College, and Vannucci and Rippee to Mississippi Delta Community College.

“You count success in a lot of different ways,” said Carlton Gibson, head coach of the Lady Patriots. “At Marshall Academy, we like to win softball games. But this game is about so much more. For me,

as a coach, seeing these girls fulfill a dream is a success.

“Each one of these girls has worked hard, put in countless hours of extra work and stayed true to the game.

“I am so proud to have had a small part in helping them get to this point. I know all five of these players will go make an impact and make Marshall Academy proud.”

The five helped lead MA to a fourth-place finish this season in the Class 4A State FastPitch Tournament. The Lady Patriots won District 1-4A and North State championships and finished with a 22-8-1 record.

For more photos from the big signing day at Marshall Academy, see page 6 of this section.