Vidalia High softball coach Gary Paul Parnham had a few question marks heading into the 2000 season. One of the biggest was at pitcher, where junior Amanda Stricklin was expected to step in and continued a strong tradition of Vidalia pitchers.

&uot;I knew we would be pretty solid defensively and we would hit the ball, but the big question mark was how Amanda would react to her first varsity action,&uot; Parnham said. &uot;She responded well.&uot;

Well enough to earn Player of the Year honors in District 3-2A after going 23-4 with a 1.78 earned run average. She struck out 109.

Stricklin also hit .384.

Parnham was named Coach of the Year after leading the Lady Vikings to a perfect 5-0 district mark. Vidalia defeated Sibley in the first round of the playoffs before losing to North DeSoto in the second round.

Vidalia finished the season at 23-4 against a competitive schedule.

Seniors named to the first team were shortstop Jessica Marling who batted .446 with a .945 fielding percentage, and second baseman Maggie Dungan, who batted .384 with 36 RBI and a .946 fielding percentage.

Also named to the squad was sophomore catcher Stephanie Elliott, who batted .384 with 29 RBI; freshman third baseman Jenny Watson who batted .368 with 35 RBI and freshman left fielder Heather Miller, who batted .418.

Lady Vikings named to the second team werew freshman Jaci DeWeese, who batted .500 in district and had a .995 fielding percentage.

Torisheka Taylor of Ferriday was named to the second team.