NATCHEZ — Former Cathedral softball player Ginny Daggett said she’s been spoiled with a second opportunity to play softball for the No.1 LSU-Eunice Lady Bengals.

Not only is she getting to play the sport she’s played over numerous summers and springs in high school again, but also she’s getting to contribute on a 41-1 Lady Bengals squad.

“We’re talking about next year, and we’re like, ‘gah, we better keep it up next year or it’s going to be a letdown,’” Daggett said.

Had Daggett followed the path she took immediately out of high school, those conversations would have never taken place.

Daggett opted not to pursue a college softball career after her high school graduation, though Cathedral head coach Gary Blackwell said opportunities were on the table.

Several junior college coaches were interested, but Daggett elected to attend Copiah Lincoln Community College in Natchez without pursuing softball.

“She wanted a break, got the feel again and went to play for LSU-Eunice,” Blackwell said. “She definitely needed to be playing somewhere.”

The following summer Daggett played summer league softball. After reconnecting with her love of the game, Daggett approached LSU-Eunice softball head coach Andy Lee, who was one of the coaches interested in her in 2012 at Cathedral.

He presented her an opportunity to play softball with LSU-Eunice, while studying to be a diagnostic medical sonographer.

“She’s just an unbelievable athlete,” said LSU-Eunice head coach Andy Lee. “She’s what I call a 5-tool player. She can hit for average, hit for power, run, has a great arm and has great defense.”

Blackwell agreed, calling the LSU-Eunice freshman infielder an all-around athlete, capable of hitting, stealing and pitching.

Lee called Daggett LSU-Eunice’s fastest player, and Daggett enjoys stealing bases above all else.

“My favorite part is running the bases,” Daggett said. “I like to get on base and use my speed.”

Her speed compliments what Daggett liked to call the “Bigs” on the team, referring to the heavy bats Emily Nolan, Cody Covington and Raven Cole possess.

“We have what we refer to as the ‘bombsquad,’” Daggett said. “They hit the ball farther than anyone I’ve seen in my entire life.”

The “bombsquad” has helped LSU-Eunice produce winning scores like 20-0, 17-0, 15-0, 12-0 and 10-0 this season.

“One game we had seven home runs,” Daggett said. “It’s crazy how far these girls hit the ball.”

The offensive production from LSU-Eunice has been enormous. So much so, the Lady Bengals have won by seven or more runs on 19 occasions since February.

“It’s so hard to beat us,” Daggett said. “We’re like, ‘there’s no way anybody is going to beat us.’ We all just want it so bad.”

The “bombsquad” can’t take all of the credit. Daggett has contributed with her fair share of hitting as well.

Against Bossier Parish Community College, Daggett recorded a double and a triple.

Though Daggett loves softball, she laughed at the possibility of playing after her two years at LSU-Eunice.

“I would love to play softball somewhere else, but I would be a senior school-wise,” Daggett said. “I stayed in school to play softball, so I think after next year, I’m going to end my career. I can’t keep staying in school this long for softball.”

Though it may be short-lived, Daggett’s second softball life has allowed her to be a part of a team that’s won 97 percent of its games this season, and for Daggett, it was worth the wait.