Improvement seems to be the subject for this year’s Katahdin High School baseball and softball programs.
Jim Zabierek will coach the baseball team for his second year, bringing on Jamey McNally, a longtime Little League coach, as his assistant coach.
“Jamey has brought great insight and experience to our program,” said Zabierek.
The Cougars were 3-12 last year and were defeated in the playoffs by Limestone/MSSM.
“We are looking to improve upon our record,” Zabierek said. “We do have some playoff experience and hope for more success with a stronger, well prepared defense and improved offensive depth.”
Katahdin graduated two seniors from last year’s squad and are adding five freshmen, who are coming off a division-winning eighth-grade season.
“They add a lot of upside potential to our team,” Zabierek noted. “We have almost our entire starting lineup and pitching staff back this year with minimal positional changes. So, we are looking forward to an exciting and competitive season.”
Katahdin will be playing against teams in both the Penobscot and Aroostook county leagues.
“We anticipate a high level of competition, particularly from a few of the teams in the Penobscot side of our schedule,” said Zabierek. “We are very excited to see some warmer weather in the forecast and are optimistic about getting out on our field.”
For more updated information on the Katahdin baseball team visit their GAMECHANGER team website to keep up to date on our season as it progresses.
Starting for the Cougars this season are: seniors, Shey Lane, pitcher/shortstop; TJ Young, pitcher/first base; and Cody Brownlee, outfield; juniors, Dakota Reinhardt, center field and Tyson Porter, pitcher/third base; sophomore, Devin McGraw, utility; and freshmen, Rigoberto Otero, second base/catcher; Cooper Drew, pitcher/utility; and Brody Guiggey, catcher.
Rounding out the lineup are: senior, Alex Lane, first base; juniors, Riley Somers, utility and Derek Atkinson, first base; and freshmen, Chase Tapley, utililty; and Nick Drew, pitcher/utility.
The Cougars will play at Hodgdon on Thursday at 4 p.m., weather permitting. On Saturday, they are scheduled to be in Dyer Brook for a 4 p.m. game and on Monday at Shenck at 4:30 p.m.
The girls softball team will be under the direction of first-year coach Harry Doughty.
“I have a well-rounded team,” he said. “However, the pitching arena is where I need to focus. I hope to improve upon their record from last year and make it to the playoffs.”
The Katahdin girls were No. 12 in Class D with a 5-8-1 record and lost to Fort Fairfield in the playoffs. Doughty said the team to beat in Class D seems to be Stearns, who was ranked eighth a year ago.
Starting for this year’s Katahdin girls team are: seniors, Michelle Birmingham, pitcher and Mariah Farrington, left field; juniors, Molly Cunningham, first base; Sophie Vetter, shortstop and Kaycee Cintron, center field/pitcher; sophomores, Kelsey Hamm, catcher; Kendra Patterson, second base; Georgia Landry, third base and Emily Knowles, right field.
Rounding out the roster are junior, Courtney Stevens, infield; sophomore, Bailey Moody-Kay, infield; freshmen, Leanne Fitzpatrick and Hannah Drew, both outfield/catcher.
“Our bench players are strong and will contribute much to our team,” said Doughty.
The Lady Cougars will be in action tomorrow in Hodgdon at 4 p.m. and on Saturday, they will play in Dyer Brook at 4 p.m. On Monday, the girls will be at Schecnk for a 4:30 p.m. game.