LIGHT HOUSE CHRISTIAN SOFTBALL ACE INKS WITH NORTHEAST

BOONEVILLE, Miss. -- Northeast Mississippi Community College fast-pitch softball coach Jody Long has added Lighthouse Christian School (Tenn.) pitcher Amy Blakeney to his 2009 signing class.

Blakeney graduated early from Lighthouse Christian School in December and will immediately bolster a Lady Tiger pitching staff that saw all three pitchers from last year not return.

Both 2008 Northeast sophomores Lisa Jansen and Amber Metzger signed to play at four-year institutions.

Jansen inked with Mississippi Valley State University while Metzger pitches for Bethel College in Tennessee. Freshman pitcher Teddie Eden now toes the mound for East Mississippi Community College.

”Amy’s addition to our staff of three other freshman is a welcomed plus,” said Long. “With her ability, she could have went Division I but we are proud she did not because we feel she has the opportunity to be a difference maker in this league.”

As a junior pitcher with Lighthouse Christian School (LCS), Blakeney was named to the All-District team and was chosen as a Queen of the Diamond North and South Showcase Player in 2007 and 2008.

Blakeney finished her high school career with a 1.00 earn run average (ERA) while fanning 455 batters and led the team with the highest strikeout percentage in 2007 and 2008.

The LCS graduate also did it at the plate for her high school team, recording a .778 batting average during her high school career.

Blakeney garnered the Lighthouse Christian Most Valuable Player award in 2008 and also was named the high school state Most Valuable Player.

Blakeney led Lighthouse Christian to its first state championship win and was selected to play on the North American Select Team in Cup ‘09 in Amsterdam, Netherlands in January 2009.

”Amy has some experience facing college-type hitters but it will be a huge adjustment for her,” said Long. “I can say we are tickled going in to have Nicole Singleton, Amy Blakeney, Heather Young and Samantha Yarber toeing the rubber this spring.”

During the 2008 campaign, the Lady Tigers finished 34-20 overall and 14-3 in the North Division capturing their seventh division title in the last eight years and registered a fourth place finish at the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament.