By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
DANFORTH — Veteran East Grand softball coach Shawn Beaudoin was hoping that a successful season a year ago would translate into renewed interest in the sport.
Sadly, that scenario has not played out, as a lack of numbers is once again presenting many challenges for coach Beaudoin, who is embarking on his fifth year with the club. For the second straight year, the Vikings will start the season with just nine players on the roster.
“It’s going to be a tough go,” coach Beaudoin said. “We just barely squeaked in nine kids. The youngsters just won’t play. You’d think, after last year, that kids would at least be interested in playing.”
A year ago, the Vikings finished 12-2 in the regular season and was the No. 1 seed for Eastern Class D. East Grand beat Shead 11-2 in the quarterfinals, but fell to Deer Isle-Stonington 1-0 in a classic pitcher’s duel contest in Danforth last spring.
East Grand lost senior ace pitcher Kaitlyn Beaudoin, the coach’s daughter, to graduation, while a couple of other starters from last year’s team have opted not to play this spring. Kaitlyn Beaudoin is assisting her father this year with coaching duties.
Members of the Viking roster include seniors Shaunna Beaudoin (catcher, and coach Beaudoin’s daughter), Alicia Farley (shortstop), Cassie Parent (center field) and Amanda Adams (right field); sophomores Allie McEwen (pitcher), Chelsea Winarski (third base), Adriana Philips (second base) and Bailey Rowe (left field); and freshman Kim Stoddard (first base).
Many of those on the roster are returning players, but the coach said at least a couple “have never put a glove on before,” which could make for a challenging season.
Just fielding a team for each game will be one of the biggest challenges, the coach said. East Grand is able to add eighth-graders to its roster, due to the school’s small size. A few eighth-graders could be added once the season begins, he said.
“You can start a game with nine and finish with eight, if you have to,” Beaudoin said.
East Grand was scheduled to start its season Tuesday on the road against Shead of Eastport.
