Ashland softball team has holes to fill
ASHLAND — The Hornets softball team brings back half of its starting squad from the 2010 season which finished with a respectable 8-8 won-loss record.
Like for many small schools, each year brings a new challenge, and 2011 will be no exception. Graduates Taylor Baker and Jessica Jimmo are gone, two other starters have moved away, and a fifth player opted to not participate this year. Fortunately for veteran coach Terry Hunter, a number of his core players from a year ago will be on the field when play gets underway.
Leading the way will be senior Whitney Donovan. The starting pitcher from a year ago, Donovan hit .508 and will be a key for the Hornets to contend. Junior catcher Brook Labelle was the top offensive performer last season. She was tops on the team with a .564 batting average and led the team in steals, hits, walks, triples and on-base percentage. This duo will be called upon to provide leadership and consistent performance on both offense and defense.
Junior Anna Paradis played center field last season and will move to shortstop. Paradis hit .464 while showing excellent speed and defensive ability. She may also be called on to pitch from time to time.
Junior Chelsea Hammond is moving from the designated hitter spot last year to the starting right field position for 2011. A quality hitter and fielder, she will continue to improve with another year under her belt. Sophomore Shea Craig is also returning and will see time at both second and third base. Her strong defensive skills will make her an asset all over the field. Sophomore Courtney Carr is a first-year player. She is working hard to learn the game, and is learning every time on the field.
Five members of the freshman class will also be called upon to contribute for the Hornets. They will be quickly thrown into the mix and will gain valuable experience from the outset of the season.
Macie Bellanceau will see time at both infield corners. She has a good glove and makes good contact from the left side of the plate. Gabby Cyr will pay a utility role with time both in the infield and the outfield. She has shown some power in the early going. Kim Baker has shown herself to be solid to be defensively and will be in the outfield primarily, but she may also get some innings at first. Rachael Gillis is an outfielder, and offensively is making solid contact at the plate.
Also pitching in will be player-manager Alley Beaulier. Coach Hunter asked her to join the squad with the low numbers they are experiencing, and she readily agreed.
“Alley is learning the fundamentals. Every day I see more confidence,” Hunter said. “She will be an asset to the team in the future.”
With such a young squad, Mother Nature has done the Ashland team no favors in the early going.
“Although our field is dry enough to play on, we have yet to be outside due to cold weather, rain or snow. This makes it extremely hard for a coach to see what they can do outside the gym. I’m sure there will be a lot of juggling lineups and positions if and when we can go outside.”
Hunter and assistant coach Lendell Tarr have set some very reasonable goals for this year’s squad.
“We are just trying to get down the fundamentals right now and hope we improve as the season progresses,” Hunter said. “We hope that we can win enough games to make it to the playoffs.
“The main thing is to have fun, learn to play the game the right way – win or lose – and be proud of what you accomplish as a team and individually. The smallest of accomplishments can last a lifetime.
