Outfielders Ashley McCaffery of West Lincoln and Stevie AnnWright of Brookhaven are the latest high school standouts to signsoftball scholarships with the Copiah-Lincoln Community CollegeLady Wolves. They are the fourth and fifth Lincoln Countians tosign softball pacts with Co-Lin this month.

McCaffery, a 5-foot-6 right-hander, is recognized for herdefensive skills in the outfield. She was twice named The DAILYLEADER’s Most Valuable Player on the All-Area Slowpitch SoftballTeam in 2008 and 2009. She helped the Lady Bears finish runners-upin the state playoffs two straight years.

“Co-Lin has a good team and I’m excited for the opportunity toplay for them,” said McCaffery. “I’m ready to get started.”

As a junior, McCaffery batted .363 for West Lincoln’s fastpitchteam. She is the daughter of Greg and Melissa McCaffery.

“Ashley has got a great attitude and is a hard-nosedcompetitor,” said Co-Lin softball coach Allen Kent. “She’s anatural outfielder with a sure glove and a strong arm. She has goodinstincts.”

Kent said he was impressed with McCaffery’s offensive skills.”She really swings the bat well and I like that. She got additionalvaluable experience playing summer travel ball. She played for theSouthern Ice 16-under team and showed a great deal ofimprovement.”

West Lincoln coach Andrew Redd said McCaffery, who wears jerseyNo. 7, was a valuable member of his squad. “Ashley has been acornerstone of our team for several years. She has a strong workethic. She’s the first one on the field every day and the last oneto leave. She’ll make an impact at Co-Lin.”

McCaffery said she plans to pursue a career in education andmajor in mathematics. She also wants to coach softball.

She follows former West Lincoln star Holli Smith to Co-Lin.

Wright also stars in slowpitch and fastpitch. She was named theLady Panthers’ MVP after helping them to the Class 5A slowpitchstate championship finals last fall.

In fastpitch, Wright batted .437, earning membership on the DL’sAll-Area Fastpitch Team in 2009. She also was named to theslowpitch Dream Team.

“I’m excited about signing with Co-Lin,” said Wright. “I hope tocontribute. It will be a challenge.”

A 5-6 right-hander, she is the daughter of Steve and TracyWright. Both of her parents are BHS gradates and her father playedbaseball at Co-Lin in the early 1980s.

Primarily an outfielder, Wright also can play third base andcatcher.

“Stevie Ann reads the ball well off the bat and covers a lot ofground in the outfield,” said Coach Kent. “We are looking forwardto her filling a position in our outfield.”

Kent and her father were teammates at Co-Lin.

“Stevie is very athletic with a lively arm and has the potentialto really contribute,” said Kent. “She’s strong and has good batspeed.”

Wright is expected to play for Southern Ice this summer.

“Brookhaven has produced some good athletes who have really beenable to help us,” said Kent. Currently on the squad are BHSgraduates Terri Hodges (pitcher), Katie Stewart (catcher) and CaseyRisher (infield).

Walker said Wright is a dedicated player who works hard toimprove. “Stevie has improved immensely over the years. She’s agreat team leader and she’s one of our hardest workers.”

Wright said she plans to major in biology at Co-Lin and isconsidering a career in dentistry.

Kent signed three Loyd Star standouts: pitcher BrookeDelaughter, second baseman Carrie Moak and outfielder Emily Smithto scholarships last week.

The Lady Wolves are 2-time defending state tournament championsand have won the state title three of the past four years. Theywere NJCAA National Tournament runners-up in 2008.