Former SL softball standout plays big role on nationally ranked Pitt CC team

By Junious Smith III

WINTERVILLE — Janna Dawson found a chance to prove herself and has never looked back.

Dawson has been a large part of Pitt Community College’s success this season, as the Bulldogs (25-4) are ranked 19th in the NJCAA Division II rankings. PCC won its third consecutive regular-season conference title, leading up to the Region 10 tournament, which starts Thursday at Springwood Park in Burlington.

Dawson, a former South Lenoir standout, has pitched 61 1/3 innings this season — the most on the team — with a 2.40 ERA and 9-2 record.

She said playing at tradition-rich South Lenoir has prepared her well for PCC.

“Expectations are very high here and there’s been a lot of success,” Dawson said. “There aren’t too many schools who put in the work that we do — we practice every day and also have morning workouts to get ready for the games.”

The results have paid off for the Bulldogs, who are looking for a third straight trip to the NJCAA DII World Series. Dawson played a role in last year’s appearance, albeit in a position she hadn’t played since she was an adolescent.

“I didn’t have much of a role when I came in and sat the bench because we had other pitchers,” Dawson said. “Later on in the season, we had a couple of players get hurt and Coach (Jennie Harp) was trying to find a replacement at second base. I told her I played a little bit during 10U, and I just did what I could to help the team.”

Besides playing well in the field, Dawson also had a .273 average and 7 RBIs. Dawson threw 15 2/3 innings with a 2.23 ERA, flashing some potential on the mound.

Harp said Dawson’s versatility was essential last year, but has done a tremendous job pitching in her sophomore campaign.

 “Janna came in and I thought she was just going to pitch for us, but midway through the year because of injuries she moved to second base and centerfielder,” Harp said. “We didn’t know what her role was going to be, but she worked her tail off this summer, got into great shape and is one of our top pitchers.”

The Bulldogs aren’t without strong arms in 2019 and Dawson said the chemistry has been strong throughout.

“We have four pitchers with different styles, but we all mesh well together,” Dawson said. “I think we can do a great job in the conference tournament and hopefully the World Series.”

PCC starts the Region 10 Conference Tournament Thursday at noon against the winner of Fayetteville Tech and Patrick Henry CC.