According to the Webster’s Dictionary of the English language, bulwark is defined as a wall-like defense or strong support or protection.

In that case, the term fits Warren Central senior catcher Mandy Fuller, who earned the 2009 Vicksburg Post Fast-pitch Player of the Year honors with a stellar campaign.

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“Mandy is one of the best catchers in the state, so it’s been really good to have her behind the plate,” WC coach Dana McGivney said. “It’s been a blessing to come over here, especially in my first head coaching job, to come over here and have her as my catcher.”

Both definitions fit Fuller, a three-year starter as the team’s backstop.

As for the first definition, Fuller formed a wall for her longtime teammate and best friend, pitcher Andi Hearn. Seldom did a ball get past Fuller to the backstop, giving Hearn the confidence to throw breaking pitches in the dirt to hitters knowing her catcher could make the play.

Fitting the second definition, Fuller was a team captain and leader who kept the mood light in the Warren Central clubhouse when needed. She showed the way for a young Lady Vikes squad en route to the program’s first division title in several seasons.

McGivney described her as another coach on the field.

Fuller also was a bulwark to the Warren Central offense, hitting in the cleanup spot. She hit .333 with six doubles, four triples and a team-high 19 RBIs. She also scored 18 runs. In 57 at-bats, she only struck out seven times.

Fuller wasn’t satisfied, though.

“I thought I slacked off with my hitting,” Fuller said. “I turned around the last four or five games or so. I had a big slump in the middle of the season. We had a couple of games rained out and a tournament rainout, so you could have used those games to boost your average up. Offensively, I stayed around the same, but defensively, I felt I got better as a catcher.”

McGivney also noticed that the bigger the stakes, the better Fuller was.

“She knows the game in all aspects, both offensively and defensively,” McGivney said. “When you’re in a pressure situation and you need a hit, you hope Mandy Fuller comes to bat, because she’s going to put the ball in play and make the defense work.”

As for Fuller’s future, it looks bright enough to need shades, to quote ’80s one-hit wonder group Timbuk Two.

She’ll join her older sister Tiffany at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, after a prolonged battle with the Hinds program to release her to attend the school of her choice. Her father Rhea had to wage a letter-writing campaign to get Tiffany and now Mandy off Hinds’ protected list, which kept them from signing with any other junior college in the state except for the Raymond school.

“Tiffany and I are pretty close,” Fuller said. “She’s been excited. As soon as she heard the news about me getting released, she’s been super excited. It’s a good college and a good program that went to nationals last year. Hopefully we’ll win state next year.”

Fuller will catch at Gulf Coast and play some third base, something she hasn’t done in a number of years.

While she looks forward to living with her sister in Perkinston, she also dreads some aspects of living with her sister, only 18 months her senior.

“She started talking about going shopping for our dorm. I said, please stop,” Fuller said with her trademark grin.

From there, Fuller intends to try to walk on at Ole Miss and start the long journey to her dream — becoming a doctor. Fuller is considering joining the U.S. Air Force to help pay for her medical school bills.

“I decided to go to medical school because Miss (Jessica) King and (Dawn) Meeks made chemistry and the human anatomy sound so interesting. Those two teachers helped me understand it and develop an interest in it. It’s a lofty dream because I’m an athlete and it’s going to consume a lot of my time. It’s a goal I’m shooting for.”

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Contact Steve Wilson at swilson@vicksburgpost.com