PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Through seven games, it appears the Wildcat varsity softball team has put itself in good position for a playoff berth. PI, which was edged out of a spot in the post-season a year ago, took a 4-3 record and No. 5 ranking into last night’s home game against Caribou.
The team owns two wins over John Bapst and single victories over Houlton and Mount Desert Island. The losses were to powerhouse Hermon in both ends of a doubleheader, with the other coming against MDI Saturday during the second game of a home doubleheader.
PI relies heavily on the two senior captains — Carly Bell and Shea Brown. Bell is one of the Wildcats’ top hitters and is a solid defender in center field and second base, while also seeing time on the mound. Brown anchors the infield at shortstop and bats near the top of the lineup. She carried a .341 batting average in 2013 and scored 21 runs, second on the Wildcats, while drawing a team-best 21 walks.
Jillian Flynn, a sophomore, does most of the catching and plays first base when not behind the plate. She is coming off an excellent freshman campaign in which she batted .327, scored a team-high 24 runs and stole four bases, tying with Brown for the team lead. Flynn bats in the lead-off position of the lineup.
Junior Megan Seward gets the nod at third base. She is reliable in the field and has power at the plate, as evidenced by her two home runs and 16 RBI a season ago. Classmate Macy Desmond is another returnee and sees action at catcher, where she is much improved, according to coach Terry Cummings. She is a good contact hitter and gives PI another speedster on the basepaths.
Sophomore Olivia Hudson does a lot of the pitching and is the only returning Wildcat to see time on the hill last year. She can also play second base and was one of the team’s top hitters last year, finishing with a .400 batting average and striking out just twice in 30 at bats.
Junior Jordi Legassie and sophomore Chelsea Argraves are outfield prospects. Legassie got significant playing time last year, while this is Argraves’ first year on varsity. Junior Megan McKnight has shown great potential and could see time at second base, while sophomore Alyssa Trombley has missed time early with a broken finger but will contribute.
Juniors Erin Ackerson and Kelsey Gilson are both capable of playing multiple positions, with Gilson also able to fill in as a pitcher. Hailey Cameron, a sophomore, also shows versatility. Senior Molly O’Connell could see action both in the outfield and infield.
Daren Hunter returns as Cummings’ assistant coach, while Jessica Cameron and Kate Leavitt are the team’s managers.
“We will be aggressive on the bases and look to put pressure on the opposing team,” said Cummings, whose team spent a week in Florida for preseason games and workouts. “I want the girls to play all out, all the time. We seem like we are getting better each game.”
