JACKSON — Freshman David Pimentel was one of six members of the East Mississippi Community College baseball team to receive Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) All-State honors on Monday.
David Pimentel, a designated hitter, also was named to the 12-man National Junior College Athletic Association All-Region 23 team.
Joining Pimentel on the MACJC’s 24-man All-State First Team was EMCC freshman closer Ryan Rigby.
Sophomore pitcher J’Daylin Jackson and sophomore catcher Dylan Vuncannon were second-team All-State picks this season, while freshman outfielders JoVaughn McNabb and Taylor Stafford, a former New Hope High School standout, were second-team All-State honorees for the Lions (29-18).
Stafford led the Lions in hitting (.392). It was highest batting average for an EMCC player since 2008 (Nathan Peden, .397). Stafford had 14 extra-base hits and 26 RBIs and scored 25 runs.
Former New Hope High teammate JC Redden was 3-2 with a 4.57 ERA in 16 games (41 1/3 innings) this season. Former Columbus High standout Chris McCullough hit .315 with six home runs, 10 doubles, and 31 RBIs. Former Caledonia High standout Cody Allsup and Nathaniel Willers, of Maben, also were on the team.
n Former Oak Hill Academy standout Ellis on East Central softball team: The East Central C.C. softball team advanced to the championship game of the 16-team NJCAA Division II National Championship tournament before finishing second in the nation. It was the highest-ever finish for the program. ECCC finished 48-14 thanks in part to the efforts of former Oak Hill Academy standout Maegen Ellis, who hit .326 with 11 home runs and 41 RBIs.
Former South Lamar High (Ala.) standout Karoline Holsonback also was a member of the team. She hit. 263 with 15 RBIs.
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