Lady Hawks show improvment

By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
    The Hodgdon Lady Hawks softball team is under a new head coach, Mike Varney, this season and they are making strides for a promising future.
    “We started the season with 11 players and now we are up to 16 players, along with our managers,” Varney said. “So, the numbers are back up.”
    The Lady Hawks are led by four seniors — Heather Rockwell, Haley Quint, Amanda Ryan and Julia Neher, along with two juniors — Kim Levesque and Maya Gardiner — and three sophomores — Mackenzie York, Danaka Welton and Lacey McQuarrie. Adding to the balance are five freshmen — Summer Stoddard, Taylor Hoskins, Samantha Palmer, Christine Wallace and Karissa Harris.
COLLISIION — Hodgdon’s Maya Gardiner attempts to beat a Katahdin player to third base, but instead, collides near the bag.
    Though many of the players didn’t see much playing time, Varney has relied on the veterans to lead the team and is taking each practice and game as a learning tool.
    “Our seniors have provided a pile of leadership,” said Varney. “This year, we are getting the feel for where everyone should go and where they are comfortable playing.”
    Varney admits he moves his players around the diamond often, but that is to find the right person for the right position. He is also working on finding a consistent pitcher. Pitching has caused the Lady Hawks some problems early in the season.
    “We have four girls who are willing to pitch,” he said. “Some have a little bit of background and some have absolutely none.”
    Through the course of the season, Varney has discovered several players will anchor certain positions.
    “I will have a senior with a freshman to help them learn,” he said. “We have freshmen who have stepped up this year. But, our two juniors [Levesque and Gardiner] are the real backbone for next year. They are the building blocks.”
    Levesque catches and Gardiner has shifted from the outfield to shortstop, where Varney says she has been impressive.
    “She is doing an awesome job there,” he added.
    Senior Rockwell teams up with freshman Harris at first base, while Quint mentors Stoddard at second. In center field or pitching is York, while Neher anchors left field and plays some infield, as well. Right field has seen various players including Wallace and Palmer who also pitches.
     “Sam throws windmill and has the concept, but she needs a little more game time to be a good pitcher,” Varney said.
    At third base has been seniors Neher and Ryan, who also pitches for the team.
    “We have no set spots,” Varney said. “They are a hard working team and a great bunch of girls. We started out slow at the beginning of year, but slowly we have improved. We are back to where we should be. The girls have really improved immensely so far this year.”