JCJC's Byrd wins National Player of the Year; Perque wins National Pitcher of the Year

ELLISVILLE, Miss. - JCJC’s softball team had an incredible season this year.

The Bobcats had a (55-4) overall record and made it all the way to the NJCAA National Championship.

Two of JCJC’s leaders, sophomore infielder, Kelly Byrd and freshman pitcher, Karli Perque have been nationally recognized.

Byrd won Player of the Year, and Perque won Pitcher of the Year.

"I want to thank God. He ain't never put you through more than you can handle. I've been through a lot. I've had a lot of injuries. I've overcome them. That's a good thing, and it's just a great honor," said Byrd.

"Working this hard throughout my whole life and that's the farthest I've ever gone, and to go that far with my friends and my teammates, it's just an honor," said Perque.

"We've been blessed with a fantastic year. National runner-up, Region-23 champion, state champion, and it all goes to them. And I knew Kelly had some pretty good numbers to be in an argument for it. Karli, I know the numbers were there. I didn't know she had the innings for it. So when we were notified last week that they were going to be both Pitcher and Player of the Year, I just thought 'wow that's an end to almost a perfect season,'" said head coach, Chris Robinson

This is the first time in school history the Bobcats have had a Pitcher and a Player of the Year in the same year.

Byrd will be playing ball next year at Delta State.

Perque will be playing at Southeastern.