Staff Writer
Returning a strong offense and expanding their pitching depth to four athletes, Limestone softball looks competitive at the start of the 2008 season. The Eagles welcomed back 10 players including six starters to improve on their sixth-place rank from 2007.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
Limestone varsity softball. The 2008 Eagles are, from the left in front, Ashlynn Kelly, Dawn McDonald, Jasmine Cote, Myley Denslow, Kellie Peers, Victoria St. Pierre, Desiree Mattoon and, in back, manager Aaron St. Pierre, manager Caleb Foster, Kallie Cote, Ashley Hale, Monique Waugh, Rilee Leighton, Caitlin Good, Stacy Bernier, Savanna Gray and manager Chelsea Campbell. Missing was Melanie Allen and Chelsea Leighton.
According to head coach Brent O’Neal, last year’s squad was young but improved as they played through their schedule. “Last year was an up and down season,” explained O’Neal. “Our offense was strong, but our defense was suspect at times. Our pitching was inconsistent early but strong as the season developed. We were a young team and probably played like one.”
However, the return of experienced players has already shown on the diamond this season as the Eagles laid claim to their home field against Fort Kent, Southern Aroostook and Van Buren. The 2008 starting lineup includes seniors Melanie Allen (pitcher/infield/outfield), Kalli Cote (outfield/first base) and Dawn McDonald (third base/shortstop); juniors Stacy Bernier (first base), Myley Denslow (outfield) and Kellie Peers (pitcher/shortstop/catcher); sophomores Jasmine Cote (pitcher/second base/outfield) and Victoria St. Pierre (catcher/pitcher); and freshman Ashlynn Kelley (shortstop/second base).
Allen, Cote and McDonald lead the Eagles as co-captains. Allen boasts the team record in homeruns with nine long balls last year, and has the second highest RBI record of 35.
Coaching staff can rely on Cote to step into several positions and tag the bases with her high on-base percentage. McDonald gives a solid performance on third for the Eagles.
Also in the black and orange for Limestone are junior Desiree Mattoon (outfield); sophomores Caitlin Good (outfield/first base), Rylee Leighton (outfield) and Monique Waugh (outfield); and freshmen Savanna Gray (third base/outfield), Ashley Hale (outfield) and Chelsea Leighton (second base/outfield).
“I think this year’s team will have more depth,” said O’Neal. “We will be a much better defensive team. We have a lot of ‘pop’ returning to our lineup.”
