Hernando softball seniors sign for college programs

Photo: From left, Olivia Higginbotham, Madison York, and Kate Johnson signed with college programs on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at Hernando High School. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)

Three members of the Hernando High School softball team Tuesday morning signed letters of intent to college programs after they finish their final season with the Lady Tigers.  

Kate Johnson and Olivia Higginbotham are joining community college programs, while Madison York will head to Division III Mississippi University for Women in Columbus and play for coach Rebecca Oldham.

In the case of Johnson, she is set to become part of Chelsea Bramlett’s Northwest Mississippi roster, while Higginbotham will be heading to Copiah-Lincoln, or Co-Lin, where Meleah Howard is the head coach.

Higginbotham has a career .374 batting average with 104 runs scored, 107 hits and 61 runs batted in. She’s also stolen 22 bases.  Higginbotham played first base and outfield last season.  

Johnson, a right-handed pitcher, has a career 26-4 record and a 2.33 earned run average. 

Meanwhile, York, a utility player who played center field last spring, has a career .388 batting average, with 29 runs, 33 hits and 27 runs batted in.  

Coach Nicki Whitten has high praise for her seniors soon to move on to college softball.  

“Kate, Olivia and Madison have been the definition of what we look for in our program,” Whitten said. “They’ve been great leaders for us over the past few years, and it’s definitely going to be tough to replace them next year.”

Whitten added she thought all three college coaches found what they were looking for in each player.  

“I think each one of them thought they were great kids and would be great additions to their program,” Whitten said. “All three programs got better today.”