Hornets bring back 7 starters
By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
Preview
ASHLAND — Two years ago, the Ashland Hornets had a difficult time finding enough players to field a varsity softball team. Fortunately for 16th-year coach Terry Hunter, numbers are no longer an issue as six capable freshmen have joined the squad and a talented middle level program has more promising players on the way.
Ashland must make up for the losses to graduation left by catcher Brooke LaBelle and outfielders Anna Paradis and Chelsea Hammond, all who were four-year players. In fact, LaBelle and Paradis were All-Aroostook and All-State players who consistently led their team in numerous offensive categories. However, seven players who held starting roles in 2012 are back and join nine others in trying to help the Hornets bounce back from last year’s 6-9 overall record and prelim-round ouster to Fort Fairfield.
“[The returnees] may play different positions, but the experience of being a starter last year should help,” Hunter said.
The veteran coach said his team’s lineup looks formidable and there are plenty of players who will supply good speed on the basepaths. Sophomore second baseman Marissa Chasse led the team in batting average with a .455 mark, as well as slugging percentage, hits, home runs, triples and RBI. Other leading hitters in 2012 who are back are junior Allyx Beaulier (.394), who will take Paradis’ place in center field; junior first baseman Macie Belanceau (.393), junior left fielder Rachel Gillis (.371) and senior pitcher/outfielder Kayla Cote (.370).
Shea Craig joins Cote as the team’s other senior and is expected to anchor the infield at shortstop as well as handle some of the pitching duties. Kim Baker and Gabrielle Cyr, both juniors, were regulars a year ago and will look to contribute again this season.
Alexis Flewelling, a junior, and Sophie Theriault, a sophomore, are returnees who will be in the mix for playing time as well.
Caitlin Paradis has the difficult task of replacing LaBelle behind the plate, but Hunter is confident enough in the freshman’s ability to name her the starter. He said she has the ability to play other positions and should be among the team’s top base stealers with her outstanding speed.
The other ninth-graders are Laura Sturgeon, Cassie Bolstridge, Whitney Page, LeAnne McNally and Savanna Flint.
Libby Pelkey and Kylie Paradis are the team’s managers.
Hunter does not worry about scoring runs as much as he does preventing them from being scored against the Hornets. Pitching, which was inconsistent for the 2012 Hornets, will be the key if the team is to both make the playoffs and advance past the first round.
“We need to find the strike zone better than we did last year,” Hunter said. “When we pitched well, we were in the game and when we didn’t, we weren’t.”
Ashland was only able to get outside for the first time last week, so he predicts it will take awhile for the defense to jell, but is hoping he’ll be able to settle on a regular starting lineup before too long. The team was expected to open regular season play with road games Tuesday against Central Aroostook in Mars Hill and Thursday at Limestone-MSSM.
