EHS finds new softball coach

Enterprise High School has found its next softball coach.

Mollie Mitchell was hired and approved at the July 26 Enterprise Board of Education meeting to lead the Lady Cats.

“It’s my first head coaching job,” Mitchell said. “I learned a lot as an assistant coach at Harding (University) and before that as a graduate assistant at Lipscomb University. In those years I’ve learned a lot about what I want to do when creating a program and building a program. This opportunity I’ve been given by Enterprise is very exciting.”

Mitchell will replace former EHS coach Bradley Stephens, and brings a wealth of experience to the Lady Cats' program.

She has a bachelor's degree from Lipscomb University and a master's in education from Harding University.

Mitchell played softball at Lipscomb where she was a team captain at catcher, earned first-team All-Atlantic Sun Conference honors, was a member of the all-freshman team and procured a spot on the all-academic team.

After her college playing career, Mitchell served as a graduate assistant at both Lipscomb and Harding.

She also organized travel at Harding while she served as pitching coach and coached strength and conditioning.

Time as an assistant on two college coaching staffs gave Mitchell the experience and vision to take the next step with the Lady Cats.

“I’m excited about building a program that is successful and committed to winning the right way,” she said. “We want to be dedicated to the process of doing the little things every day. I think through doing that, we can be successful.”  

A familiar face is joining Mitchell as an assistant coach for Enterprise. Former Northview standout Kate Benton, who has a bachelor's degree from Troy University, will coach on Mitchell's staff.

“It’s just an awesome opportunity,” Benton said of coaching at EHS. “I’m so excited about it. I can’t wait to just really experience working with Enterprise City Schools and in their school system…work with the girls and really show them my passion for the game of softball. It’s something I really love, and just to impact their lives in the game and in other areas, I’m really excited about it. It’s just a good opportunity to teach them the game, and to teach them what this game can really offer them —whether it’s college athletics (or) going to college in general for academics — just really showing them all of the ins and outs of what can really go on from this sport and how it can affect their lives the way it’s affected mine. I’m really excited about the opportunity just to affect their lives in many ways other than the softball field.”   

Benton played at Shelton State Community College and at Troy, where she was an All Sun Belt second team member and set Trojan records for stolen bases in a season and career batting average.

"We have dedicated our summer and contacted numerous high school and college coaches seeking to develop the best softball coaching staff," EHS athletic director Trent Trawick said in an email statement. "Both Miss Mitchell and Miss Benton have had successful college careers and Miss Mitchell brings college coaching experience. The quality that stood out with Coach Mitchell is not only her passion for softball but her eagerness to teach the game to student-athletes."

Benton was also impressive, and Trawick said she would be an asset to the Lady Cats as an assistant coach.

"The quality that stood out with Coach Benton was her eagerness to pass along the knowledge she gained as a player at the collegiate level to our student-athletes," he said. "Miss Benton has an outstanding personality and her enthusiasm for softball will enhance the EHS program."

Enterprise finished 21-19 overall and reached the South-Central Regional last season.

"I am extremely excited about the leadership Coach Mitchell will bring to the EHS softball program," Trawick said. "With the addition of two softball supplements and the leadership Coach Mitchell brings, we are excited about the upcoming softball season."

The upcoming softball season will bring with it Mitchell’s expectations for the Lady Cats.

“I expect the players to come out, work hard and be dedicated to getting better every single day,” she said. “I’m a big believer in the fundamentals, learning the right way to play the game and every day coming out and getting a little bit better so when the season comes around we’re ready to go out there and play. I believe if we dedicate ourselves to the process…of winning and doing the little things, the outcome will just take care of itself.”

The new EHS coach believes fundamentals and dedication will foster pride and results.

“I want this program to be respected and (have) disciplined athletes,” Mitchell said. “When we go out into the community and play different teams, the (players) take pride in being a Wildcat, being from Enterprise. I want to start little, build from the junior high team all the way to the varsity team and hopefully be a team the community can be proud of.”