Beavers making softball revival
Preview
WASHBURN — Sporting a brand new softball field, and a reborn softball team, the Washburn Beavers could well be one of the stronger Class D teams in Aroostook County in 2013.
Due to a lack of interest, the 2012 edition of the Washburn team was put on the shelf. Coach Tammy Tatlock is excited to be back on the field after a year off. Now in her seventh year as the varsity coach, Tatlock hopes that the success that the Beaver girls teams have had in cross country running, soccer, and basketball will carry over into the spring season.
Tatlock expects that there may be some growing pains in the early going after a lost season and given the youthfulness of the team, but the success of the other seasons and the athleticism of the squad should balance it all out.
The Beavers will sport four freshmen, three sophomores, four juniors and a lone senior. With the youthfulness of the squad, Tatlock will also make valuable use of assistant coaches Kevin Grass and Amanda Libby.
Senior Rayah Saucier is a two-year starter and will be counted upon to provide leadership for this young squad. Although she is coming off a winter injury, Saucier has proven herself to be solid on both the offensive and defensive sides of the diamond. Saucier has a strong arm, and previously handled the catching duties for the Washburn nine.
The junior class will be led by Carmen Bragg and Nicole Olson. Both are proven winners from the rest of their sports seasons, and will both see action in the infield and on the pitcher’s mound. Bragg also gives the squad quickness that should make her dangerous on the base paths.
Juniors Courtney Cannon and Rachel Rossignol will both be slated to see action in the outfield and will also be counted on to make offensive contributions.
The sophomore class consists of Lucia Bragg, Mikayla Churchill and Catelyn Coulombe. Bragg is versatile and will be called on to play roles in both the infield and the outfield. Coulombe will primarily be an outfielder, while Churchill will get most of her time in the infield. Without the benefit of a team last year, these sophomores are seeing their first varsity action and will have to adjust to the quicker pace of the game.
The freshman class is also well represented for the Beavers, and their roles will grow and develop as the season progresses. Grace Braley will see time in the infield, outfield and possibly on the pitcher’s mound as well. Liza Durrette and Laina Mette will be found in both the infield and at times on the mound, while Brittany Corey will switch between the infield and the outfield.
Managers on the team will include sophomore Hannah Heald and junior Caitlyn Roix. Community member Owen James also assists as a team manager.
Tatlock cites Limestone-MSSM, Ashland, Fort Fairfield and Fort Kent as key opponents on the team’s schedule, and in the first week of the season, the Beaver squad picked up three wins – 5-3 over Fort Fairfield, 15-9 over Wisdom and 19-12 over Fort Kent.
“So far, things look promising for the team,” explained Tatlock. “They are a great group of athletic girls who work hard and strive to improve each practice. Our focus is to be a competitive team in the running for a playoff spot.
“This year should be fun and entertaining to watch and coach,” she added.
