The Houlton Junior High softball team has again achieved an undefeated regular season record, finishing the season with a 13-0 record under the direction of coaches Margaret Hill and Jason Gilpatrick. This is coach Hill’s fourth year at the helm, and she feels very good about how the girls advanced during their season this year. She was assisted by Gilpatrick, who proved to be invaluable.
According to the coach, “It was great having Jason come forward to help this year. With an extra set of hands, we were able to provide the girls with twice as much fielding practice as I could have given them alone, and it really showed on the field.”
This year’s eighth-grade crop of players was the backbone of the team’s success. Kristen Graham again emerged as the strongest pitcher in the county.
“Kristen’s dedication to her craft has really paid off,” said Hill. “She could be pitching now at the varsity level and I’m sure that’s a very rare occurrence at this grade level.”
With such a strong pitcher, there were very few kids willing to get behind the plate, but eighth-grader Kolleen Bouchard was willing to lend her athleticism to the task.
“Kolleen saved us so many times behind the plate that it would be impossible to count. She kept our number of passed balls to a minimum and was able to throw lots of players out while they were trying to steal second,” Hill added.
When Bouchard was not at the plate, she played some innings at the shortstop position.
Aspen Flewelling played first base again this year. Her long reach proved to be invaluable for throws that were not on the mark. She batted in the fifth position and could always be counted on to bring in stranded runners. Rounding out the infield were Claire Gilpatrick, Tyra Gentle and Alexis Miller.
“These girls worked very hard on fundamentals and game situations, which was the difference reflected in our record again this year,” said Hill. “Our infield was able to turn some very difficult plays into outs.” Carolyn Mooers was the short fielder for Houlton this year, playing just behind second to cover the middle and fly balls to center field. Her batting was steady and she was a very effective clean-up batter for the team. At the end of the season she was also called upon to spend some time behind the plate in relief of Bouchard. Any of this year’s infield could certainly make an impact in any position at the varsity level, according to their coach.
The outfield was a place where several players made an impact this season. Kianna Folsom earned a starting spot in centerfield this year, and she had several clutch hits that were game-changers. As well as outfield responsibilities, Anessa Wilde, an eighth-grader new to the Shires this year, took on the role of relief pitcher in some very tight matches.
“Anessa was very good under pressure and kept a cool head when she was called upon to relieve Graham,” Hill noted.
The coaches expect great things from her in the future from a pitching perspective. The Shires were fortunate to have two additional eighth-graders join them this year for the first time. Cassie Butler finished the season strong with solid pitching against Presque Isle and Millinocket.
“We counted on Cassie to throw strikes so our infield could make the outs and she did just that,” Hill added.
Trynity Plummer, also new to the team, has developed into a solid infielder and outfielder.
Three seventh-graders shared outfield responsibilities during the season: Kelsey Sewell, Mercedes McAfee and Jillian Haggerty. Sewell also has practiced her catching skills behind the plate in anticipation of next year’s season. Haggerty’s focus for next year will to work more on her pitching skills.
“In a group of such strong pitchers, we just didn’t have a need this year for another pitcher, but next season will be a whole different game,” said Hill.
The Shires had three alternate players who took turns attending away games: Breezy Clossey, Angelina Jones and Kyleigh Tyler. Clossey really advanced in her skills, both hitting and fielding. Jones had a double and a single in the Shires’ last double header and really came around with her bat. Tyler played some minutes in the outfield and worked hard every day at practice, all while balancing a Little League schedule, as well.
Hill and Gilpatrick were fortunate to have two excellent managers step forward this year: Addy Michaud and Mia Hanning.
“They were a tremendous help to us at game time and took their job seriously. Learning how to keep the book in this sport isn’t an easy task and they picked right up with it. A good team always needs dependable managers,” Hill said.
When looking over the season, Hill said the team’s success came in the form of team chemistry which was a unique factor in this group.
“There are some very good athletes on this team, and they are all willing to share their skills by helping their teammates,” she said. “It’s been a pleasure to for coach Gilpatrick and I to work with these girls and be a part of teaching them good softball mechanics. If they continue with their dedication to improving, they’re going to go far.”
