Dickey Hightower Named Head Softball Coach

Wesleyan College has hired Dickey Hightower to take over as head coach of the Pioneer softball program.

A coaching veteran with over 30 years experience in the sport, Hightower has coached every level from ASA youth teams to Division I college programs. Having spent the last five seasons as the head coach at Heritage High School in Conyers, Ga., he previously spent a number of years on staff as an assistant coach at Georgia State University. While coaching the Panthers, he primarily served as the infield and hitting coach, while also developing the schedule, assisting in recruitment and performing field maintenance.

"Coach Hightower's Division I experience will provide the leadership and expertise our softball program needs to achieve the goals we have set for this year and for our future,” remarked Wesleyan athletics director Patty Gibbs. “His experience working with women's softball makes him an ideal coach for Wesleyan College. His emphasis on player development will benefit our students and provide our team with a competitive advantage over other programs. We are delighted to have a coach of his caliber working with our athletic program and our softball team."

One of the highlights of his coaching career came when he was asked to be the head coach of a team designed to compete against the U.S. Olympic team just prior to the 1996 Olympic Games, which was the first time softball was included as an Olympic team sport. He compiled a team of Division I college athletes from across the state of Georgia and competed against the Olympic team twice in the month leading up to the Games.

“I would like to thank Ms. Gibbs and Wesleyan College for giving me the opportunity to come to the school and begin the process of building a competitive softball program,” states Hightower. “With the caliber of softball being played in the state of Georgia, there are more than enough quality players interested in getting a great college education here at Wesleyan and who also want to be involved in establishing a winning tradition. Our number one focus will be to recruit exceptional, academic-minded young ladies with outstanding character but also with the talent on the softball field to make Wesleyan a force in the Great South Athletic Conference.”

“The journey starts right now. First, we build the foundation with the young ladies presently at Wesleyan. Next January, we start working on the fundamentals that will translate into more competitive results on the field. Secondly, we will start an aggressive recruiting campaign by attending travel ball and high school games and telling players about the opportunities they have by coming to Wesleyan. With a combination of hard work on the field and the softball talent in the surrounding areas, there is no reason to believe we will not start becoming successful over the next few years.”

Wesleyan opens the 2012 season on February 11 when the Pioneers travel to Bluffton, S.C., to take on USC Beaufort.

Wesleyan Closes Out Fall Semester With Loss to Maryville

MACON, Ga. - Wesleyan College fell victim to a second half surge by Great South Athletic Conference power Maryville College in a 63-29 loss at Porter Gymnasium.

The Pioneers (0-4, 0-3 GSAC) kept the game within single digits for most of the first half. However, the Lady Scots (3-2, 1-0 GSAC) found their shooting touch in the second half to break open the game.

Senior captain Bre Solmone scored a team-high six points and added seven blocks for Wesleyan. Erinn Williams and La Joi Battle also each contributed six points. Maryville played 14 people with Tayler Smith hitting all five of her shots on the way to a game-best 11 points.

Wesleyan will take an extended break between semesters before returning to action on January 4 at GSAC foe Huntingdon College.

Piedmont Spoils Home Opener for Wesleyan

MACON, Ga. - League leader Piedmont College spoiled the home opener for first-year head coach Mike Walton and Wesleyan College 60-26 in Great South Athletic Conference action at Porter Gymnasium.

Box Score | Follow the Pioneers on Twitter @GoWesleyan

The Lions (5-0, 2-0 GSAC) extended their season-opening win streak to five games by limiting the Pioneers (0-3, 0-2) to just 18% shooting from the floor for the game.

Senior Erinn Williams and newcomer Lindsay Haggerty each scored a team-high seven points for Wesleyan. Sada Wheeler finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds for Piedmont.

The Pioneers wrap up the first semester by hosting perinneal league leader Maryville College. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:00pm at Porter Gymnasium.