Vikings are few, but talented

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    DANFORTH — Last season, East Grand received a taste of postseason play. Now fourth-year Viking softball coach Shawn Beaudoin hopes his team is hungry for more.
    The Vikings finished 7-5 a year ago and were ranked seventh in Eastern Class D. East Grand drew the tough assignment of facing No. 2 Deer-Isle Stonington the quarterfinals. The Vikings lost to the eventual Eastern Class D champs 11-0.
    “This year is about winning,” coach Beaudoin said. “They have worked hard and they expect to win. We should be right up there in the playoffs.”
    If the Vikings are to have success, they will do so with a skeleton crew as East Grand has just nine players on its roster to open the season.
    East Grand’s roster for 2012 includes seniors Kaitlyn Beaudoin (pitcher); Shaunna Beaudoin (catcher), Jane Cousins (third base), Alicia Farley (shortstop), Cassie Parent (outfield); sophomore Theresa Cousins (outfield); freshmen Allie McEwen (first base) and Chelsea Winarski (second base); and eighth grader Kim Stoddard.
    Coach Beaudoin said East Grand lost two players who decided not to play softball this spring.
    “If we had to, we could play with eight,” the coach said. “We will go with what we have. And I believe if we start winning, some others may come out. We have to do what we have to do.”
    Having his starting pitcher and catcher back will go a long way to maintaining that level of consistency. The fact that they are his daughters is an added bonus for coach Beaudoin.
    “The main core of the team started with me in Little League,” coach Beaudoin said. “They know each other very well and I really believe we will do quite well this season.”
    The coach added Eastern Class D was “wide open” this year, with any team capable of winning it all. The Vikings open their season on Monday, April 23 at 3:30 p.m. hosting Woodland.