MONTICELLO — For Lawrence County senior fastpitch softballplayers Kaila Givens and Cori Walker, signing with the SouthwestCommunity College Lady Bears is another way to keep playing thesport they love and get a college education at the same time.

“They (Givens and Walker) love the game,” said Southwest headfastpitch coach Doug Clanton. “They can play multiple positions.They appear to be good girls and girls that get along with otherplayers. They will get down and get dirty.”

According to Lawrence County fastpitch softball coach BeronicaStringfellow, Givens and Walker are capable of playing allpositions except pitching.

Givens played second base and Walker was first baseman for theLawrence County Lady Cougars.

“It’s close to home,” said Givens about signing with Southwest.She is undecided on a major.

Givens batted .245 for the season with 16 hits, including 10singles, a double and a triple. She drove in 8 runs and scored6.

“Kaila is tough all around,” said Coach Stringfellow. “She isdisciplined at the plate and a good hitter. She is a goodstick.”

At the plate, Walker held a .213 batting average with hitsincluding 9 singles and a triple for 6 RBI. She scored 5 runs.

Givens said she appreciated Stringfellow’s help.

“Coach Stringfellow has meant a lot to me,” smiled Givens. “Shehas taught me mainly about discipline.”

Walker is going in to nursing at Southwest. She is also lookingforward to playing for the Lady Bears.

“Cori is also disciplined at the plate,” stated Stringfellow.”She will come through when you need her.”

Walker says she will miss her high school coach. “I love her.She is a great coach.”

The Lady Cougars finished the 2005 season 13-11 and were 6-4 inDivision 6-4A action. They were State finalists in 2004.

Other Southwest signees from the area include Bogue Chittoplayers Kayla Smith and Brynna Wallace. This is Clanton’s firstyear at the helm.