The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Softball Adds Five for Upcoming Season
8/25/2002 | Softball
Aug. 25, 2002
OXFORD, Miss. - Coming off the most successful season in school history, the Ole Miss softball team has even higher hopes in 2003 with the addition of five freshmen to the blossoming program.
Last year, the Ole Miss pitching staff set a new school record for lowest staff ERA, and that mark could be in danger again this season with the addition of 5-10 righthander Dana Brill. An All-District first team honoree from Houston, Texas, Brill earned team MVP status at both Jersey Village High School and the Houston Power Gold club team.
"Dana is extremely competitive on the mound," said UM head coach Candi Letts, whose Rebels broke or tied seven team season records in 2002. "Simply put, she knows how to get batters out. Dana never makes the same mistake twice, and she has the ability to improve as she gets older."
Chatsworth, Calif., native Rebecca McIntire could make an immediate impact with the Rebels in the field as well as at the plate. A two-time Scholar Athlete, McIntire was an All-League first team infielder each of the last four years at Chatsworth High School, and twice garnered team MVP honors.
"Rebecca is a versatile defensive infielder," Letts said. "She has great hands, and is also a strong gap hitter. She will be making a push for the starting lineup."
Also joining the Ole Miss infield is Jordan Chitwood from Chandler, Ariz. Chitwood was a 2002 All-Region second team pick and MVP at Hamilton High School, in addition to being a four-year Scholar-Athlete award winner. Her older sister Lindsey is the starting third baseman at Auburn.
"Jordan is a really strong defensive player," Letts said. "She is a smart player with an excellent arm. Jordan understands the game extremely well."
Although a freshman athletically, Many Ott is beginning her second year of college after attending, but not playing softball, at Texas A&M a year ago. A catcher/utility player, Ott was a two-time All-Metro honorable mention at Century High School in Hillsboro, Ore. She was her class valedictorian and earned various academic scholarships.
"Mandy has great experience as a team player," Letts said. "She is a fierce competitor and will push everyone around her to player better."
The Rebel incoming freshman class also includes outfielder Stacy McCommon, who inked with Ole Miss last November. The Amory native was the 2001 Daily Journal Player of the Year.
