By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
CARIBOU – To have a chance to advance in the post-season, varsity softball teams really need to be able to count on dominant pitching.
The Vikings may be on the verge of having that reliable ace on the mound, and therefore ready to take that next step.
Contributed photo/jMavor Photography
Junior pitcher Emily Staples fires in a pitch during Thursday’s home game against Fort Kent. Staples has worked hard in establishing herself as a solid pitching threat for the Vikings.
That pitcher is junior Emily Staples, who has shown marked improvement every year and appeared to have taken her game to even new heights this season.
Staples attends many different pitching clinics throughout the state, as well as working with a private pitching coach in Canada. She also spends her summers playing on a highly-competitive travel team in Canada that competes in tournaments throughout that country, including one in Montreal.
“She has worked harder than any other pitcher that I’ve had in my six seasons,” said Deprey, who noted Staples may very well be the best pitcher Caribou has had since Kai Kraut manned the position in the mid- to late-1980s.
“She has added some speed to her fastball and has also developed a nice range of off-speed and breaking pitches,” he added. “She has also worked on maintaining her composure and has taken steps in the right direction.”
Last year, Caribou went .500 for the first time in Deprey’s tenure, qualified for the playoffs and even had a chance to host a preliminary playoff game, but Belfast came in and ended the Vikes’ season with a 4-1 victory.
Ashley Doucette, the team’s most valuable player in 2010 who was a four-year starter at third base, graduated along with other key players in Danielle Soucy and Brittany Doak, but Caribou does return with a veteran lineup.
The batting order includes junior center fielder Jamie Martin at the top. “She is speedy, tough and a pest on the bases,” Deprey said. “She has a knack for getting on base.”
Senior second baseman Sare Damboise is another returnee slotted for the second position in the lineup. “She has a strong bat and is tough to strike out, plus she plays a very good infield,” Deprey said.
The middle of the order includes sophomore third baseman Jordyn Doucette (“our best defensive infielder and most consistent bat,” according to the coach), sophomore first baseman Rebecca McDougal, who displays good power at the plate, and senior right fielder Madison Outing, who Deprey said has built confidence after a solid preseason.
Staples, who has shown improvement on offense, will bat sixth, followed by senior left fielder Danielle Violette (a good contact hitter and smart player), sophomore catcher Kristin Plante, who Deprey said is a tremendous defender who is learning the nuances of how to call a game, and the platoon of junior McHatten and sophomore Anesha Hersey at shortstop.
Annalies Walker, a senior, gives Caribou speed off the bench and will back up Staples on the mound. Senior Sierra Kimball and sophomore Kelsie Espling are first-year players in back-up roles.
Deprey, whose team is 2-1 to begin regular season play, acknowledges he faces a difficult schedule, with County rivals Presque Isle, Fort Kent and Houlton all very capable opponents and defending EM champion Hermon and runner-up Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln providing challenges as well along with fellow PVC teams Ellsworth, Old Town and John Bapst.
Due to the poor weather this spring, Caribou did not get outside very much before its first game last week, but Deprey won’t use that as an excuse as the Vikes aim once again for a post-season berth.
“We are ready,” he said. “Another playoff appearance would be nice and is not out of the realm of possibilities.”
