Playoffs are again the goal for Lady Hornets
By Jon Gulliver
Staff Writer
ASHLAND — The Ashland Hornets softball team has 10 players returning from last year’s squad which reached the Eastern Maine Class D finals before falling to Deer Isle-Stonington and a playoff berth this spring is certainly not out of the question.
“We won 10 out of our last 12 games, placing fifth in final Heal Point standings beating the No. 4 and No. 1 teams in making to the Eastern Maine finals.” said coach Terry Hunter. “This was with five starting freshmen.”
“There are a lot of strong teams again this year,” said Hunter, now in his 16th season as coach. “We set a goal to make the playoffs and take it one game at a time.”
Gone from last year’s EM runner-up team at pitcher Whitney Donovan. Also senior Brooke Labelle is recuperating from ACL surgery and will miss a big portion of the season.
Of the 17 girls on the roster, three are vying for the top pitching spot and two others are working on the catching position, but Hunter says all positions are open and he will probably be making adjustments even after the first few games.
On the roster are: seniors Anna Paradis, LaBelle and Chelsea Hammond; juniors Shea Craig and Kayla Cote; sophomores Gabrielle Cyr, Rachael Gillis, Kim Baker, Macie Bellanceaux, Allyx Beaulier, Diana Watt and Alexis Flewelling; and freshmen Autumn Lavertu, Sophie Theriault, Brittany Harris, Kaitlyn Henderson and Marissa Chasse.
Hunter preaches the fundamentals to his players and tries to get them to learn something new every practice.
“We just need to pick up where we left off last season,” Hunter said. “As always a team needs to be confident, fundamentally sound, take advantage of situations, be dedicated, play hard and have fun. Then win or lose, you’ve given your best.”
