Alleghany Grad Hicks Notches Collegiate Hit in JUCO Showdown Opener

Patrick & Henry Community College softball team drops pair of games to nationally ranked opponents at Panama City Beach tournament

Feb. 7, 2026 at 10:47am

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The Patrick & Henry Community College softball team opened play at the Visit Panama City Beach JUCO Showdown, facing nationally ranked Chattanooga State Community College in a doubleheader. P&HCC fell by scores of 8-0 in both contests. Freshman Brooklynn Hicks, an Alleghany High School graduate, recorded a hit for the Lady Patriots in the second game.

Why it matters

The JUCO Showdown is an important early-season tournament for community college softball programs, providing an opportunity to face top-tier competition and gain valuable experience. P&HCC's losses to Chattanooga State highlight the challenges of playing against nationally ranked opponents, but also showcase the potential of young players like Brooklynn Hicks to make an impact at the collegiate level.

The details

In the opener, Chattanooga State took advantage of an early five-run first inning on its way to an 8-0 victory. Sophomore Lily Carola made the start in the circle for P&HCC, striking out four batters over four innings. At the plate, P&HCC was led by sophomore Hannah Haynes, sophomore Laura Brown, and sophomore Morgan McCrary, who each recorded a hit. The second game again presented an early challenge, as P&HCC dropped the nightcap 8-0. Sophomore Aris Smith got the start and struck out six batters over four and one-third innings. Freshman Brooklynn Hicks, sophomore Lily Carola, and freshman Kayli Alvarado each collected a hit for P&HCC in the second game.

  • The Patrick & Henry Community College softball team opened play Thursday at the Visit Panama City Beach JUCO Showdown.
  • The Lady Patriots continued play Friday at the JUCO Showdown in Panama City Beach, facing NJCAA Division I opponents Wallace State Community College and Northwest Florida State College.

The players

Lily Carola

A sophomore pitcher/first baseman from Union, West Virginia who made the start in the circle for P&HCC in the opener and also collected a hit in the second game.

Hannah Haynes

A sophomore first baseman from Virginia Beach, Virginia who recorded a hit for P&HCC in the opener.

Laura Brown

A sophomore outfielder from Verona, Virginia who recorded a hit for P&HCC in the opener.

Morgan McCrary

A sophomore outfielder from Bassett, Virginia who recorded a hit for P&HCC in the opener.

Brooklynn Hicks

A freshman infielder from Covington, Virginia and Alleghany High School graduate who collected a hit for P&HCC in the second game.

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What’s next

The Lady Patriots wrapped up Day 2 of the JUCO Showdown facing back-to-back NJCAA Division I programs as the multi-day event continued in Panama City Beach.

The takeaway

The losses to nationally ranked opponents highlight the challenges facing the P&HCC softball team, but also showcase the potential of young players like Brooklynn Hicks to make an impact at the collegiate level. The JUCO Showdown provides valuable experience as the team prepares for the rest of the season.