By By BRUCE HIXON – Sports Editor
Lakyn Newton figured to be a key contributor for the Jefferson Davis Community College Lady Warhawks softball team this season, but few would have predicted she would have had the kind of impact she did.
Newton not only won JDCC's hitting Triple Crown, which consists of batting average, homeruns and RBIs, she obliterated her teammates in those areas.
The sophomore infielder from Greenville hit .434, 98 points higher than her closest competitor. She belted four homeruns, while no other Lady Warhawk had more than one. Newton drove in 50 runs. The next best by a JDCC player was 22.
Not only did Newton lead the Lady Warhawks in the Triple Crown categories, she also posted team highs in slugging percentage at .667, hits with 69, doubles with 25, total bases with 106, sacrifice flies with six and stolen bases with seven. Newton also had a streak this spring where she had nine hits in nine straight at-bats.
All this production came from a player who had respectable, but hardly mind-boggling numbers her freshman season when she hit .311 with no homers and 17 RBIs.
Newton credits some of her increased production to a change in her batting technique.
Nims gives a lot of credit to Newton's work ethic.
Newton maintained her productivity despite the fact she did not have a set position in the field.
Newton's rapid rise in play has drawn a rapid increase in interest at the four-year level.
Newton is not sure at this time which direction she will go.