WC catcher is county's best

Katie Barnett, lower left, a junior at Warren Central earned The Vicksburg Post Fast-Pitch Player of the Year award, while Warren Central coach Lucy Young and St. Aloysius Coach Gene Rogillio shared Coach of the Year honors. Barnett hit a team-best .467 to lead the Lady Vikes to a 26-4 record and the Division 4-5A championship. Young had her team ranked No. 1 by The Clarion-Ledger for most of the season. This is the second time Rogillio and Barnett have earned the postseason award. Story, all-county team/C4 The Vicksburg Post/Todd Sherman

Barnett lays Claim as county's best

By Michael Parson
Sports writer

[05/26/02] In only its third-year in existence, Warren Central's fast-

pitch softball program surpassed expectations this season finishing with a 26-4 record. A big factor for the Lady Vikes' rapid success is simple - junior catcher Katie Barnett.

Barnett led the Lady Vikes' offense with a gaudy .467 average with seven doubles, four triples and 35 RBIs. "She is as tough as nails," WC coach Lucy Young said. "It takes a gutsy, hard-nosed player to be a catcher and she's that."

For her accomplishments, Barnett was selected Vicksburg Post Player of the Year, the second consecutive year she has bagged the award.

This is the third year the award has been given.

"I was shocked to get the award last year," she said. "But I'm surprised this year. This is great. This is what you strive for."

Barnett didn't even start playing softball until she was 11 years old and this is only her third year playing fast-pitch. And now that she's excelled in the game, Barnett - who played basketball at WC last year - has dedicated herself totally to the sport. She was also in the Miss Vicksburg pageant last year.

Since that move, her numbers have increased from last year's totals. Not only have stats gone up, but her leadership role has also. She's the most knowledgeable on the team as far as playing competitively," Young said. "And a lot of the players fed off of her. She is especially great with our young pitchers. She knows when to go to the mound to calm our pitchers down and she has that liberty."

Now, Barnett is focusing on next year. The Lady Vikes lose just one senior. "We're hoping for the best next year," she said. "We're looking to be in the championship game."

The senior to-be is also hoping that colleges will recognize her talent and offer a scholarship before the season starts.

"She will definitely play at the next level," Young said. "As a matter of fact, I'm looking to send about six players to colleges next year."