Hawks open with a victory

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HODGDON — Opening the season with a victory is every coaches dream. That dream became a reality for second-year Hodgdon coach Mike Varney as the Hawks blasted past Shead 14-11 in Friday’s season opener.
    In Friday’s game, Jamie Theriault pitched the win, scattering six hits. She also helped her cause at the plate with an RBI single. Maya Gardiner also had a run-producing hit, but it was the bat of Alicia Rockwell that did the bulk of the damage as she laced three singles for the Hawks.
    Jenny Cushing and Kristie Conte each had two hits for Shead.
    “We should be able to build on last year’s strengths and improve to make the playoffs,” Varney said. “It’s a building year, (as the team) learns the fundamentals of the game.”
    Last year, the Hawks struggled to a 3-10 record in Eastern Class D and did not make the postseason. However, several members of the Hodgdon squad tasted sweet success on the basketball court this past winter, advancing all the way to the regional title game. Coach Varney is optimistic some of that success will carry over to the diamond this spring.
    Members of the Hawks’ roster include: seniors Gardiner (shortstop), Fitzpatrick (second base) and Kim Levesque  (catcher); juniors Mackenzie York, (first base/pitcher), Rockwell (third base) and Danaka Welton (outfield); sophomores Summer Stoddard (outfield), Samantha Palmer (pitcher), Christine Wallace (outfield), Karissa Harris (outfield/first base), and Taylor Hoskins (outfield); and freshmen Jamie Thereault (pitcher), Jessi Tracy (outfield/catcher), Rachel Harmon (outfield/second base), Hannah Sherman (outfield) and Amanda Clark (outfield).
    Key seniors who are returning for the Hawks are Gardiner, Levesque and Fitzpatrick. All three will be called upon to provide key veteran leadership. Gardiner had a sensational junior campaign, finishing as a member of the 2011 All-Aroostook team.
    Three juniors — York, Rockwell and Welton — could also be poised for breakout seasons, Varney said.
    The Hawks’ strength will be its infield play and improved pitching from a year ago. More depth in the batting order will also be another key to how successful the team is.
    One of the areas coach Varney hopes to work on are cutting down on errors, “both physical and mental.”
    The Hawks will not look to just one girl to carry them inside the pitching circle. Instead, it will be a pitching by committee approach this year.
    “We are working with six different girls on pitching,” he added. “Some are more advanced than others.”
    Like every team, Hodgdon’s goal is to qualify for the postseason. The Hawks’ home opener is slated for Saturday, April 21 at 10 a.m. against Southern Aroostoook.