The Lady Warriors' softball team closed out the 2020 season on an eight-game winning streak to move their record to 14-4 on the year as the team outscored opponents 182 runs to 76. That hot streak was cut short due to COVID-19, but the Lady Warriors are back in 2021 ready to take the diamond by storm as they enter the season ranked No. 15 in the country. 

"Our girls have all been waiting to put that uniform back on. There is definitely excitement in the air to just get the opportunity to play the sport that we love," said head softball coach Leigh White. "That in itself is enough motivation right now."

Even though the season seems relatively normal for softball, things are starting at roughly the same time, there have been challenges that every institution is facing. 

"The kids have got to do their part...they have to do certain things and make sacrifices to be able to play and we have bought in and done that," said White.

Despite the challenges, the Lady Warriors are ready to pick up where they left off with fast-paced softball that is sure to excite.

"We've set some goals for our squad this year, we obviously have some big shoes to fill from last year, but we have some players in place to do that," White said. "We need the first few games to get our girls where we need to be, but we've come a long way since the fall and they know where this team was last year and want to continue that success."

Six sophomores are on the roster this year to lead the squad. Zharia Richardson is the leading offensive producer from a year ago. She saw action in 16 games and drove in 13 runs with a .615 slugging percentage. She is joined by returners Daja Cowan and Sidney Rone and transfers Mary Moore Widemire and Emily McDonald. 

In the circle, Braelyn Boykin and Gracey Baucom are back and look to utilize the experience gained in the brief season a year ago. Boykin fanned a team-high 45 batters last season. 

"Experience wise we have two solid pitchers coming back, but we also have some more players coming in that develop an entire pitching staff for us," White said. 

Overall, the Lady Warriors had campus and the community buzzing last year prior to the season cancelation, and both returning and incoming players are ready to continue building on the foundation that has been laid. 

With solid offensive production and strong pitching returning combined with a stellar incoming group of girls that are ready to earn their stripes, the No. 15 Lady Warriors look to make a splash in NJCAA in 2021. 

The Lady Warriors were set to open the season on Tuesday, January 26, but that game was postponed due to field conditions. The Lady Warriors are slated to face Marion Military Institution in Decatur on Tuesday, February 9 at 3 and 5 p.m., but fans are encouraged to visit ecccatletics.com and follow @ECCCAthletics on social media for schedule updates.