Ashland softball looks to challenge
ASHLAND, Maine — They made it into the semifinal round of the Eastern Maine Class D playoffs last year and the Hornets are striving to get back there and beyond this spring.
Terry Hunter returns for his 17th season as head coach and has five starters to replace from last season, but both pitchers and other key players return.
“With five new starters, it will be a challenge to find the right combinations that help the team be the most productive,” Hunter said. “The whole team will need to work hard and improve every game and I believe we have the talent to do that.”
He said the poor weather in the preseason made it a challenge to evaluate his talent, stressing it is difficult to assess players’ abilities when unable to get on the field. He said most of that assessment has had to come during early-season games.
“Hopefully, I can find what works and we can be in the mix again at the end of the season,” Hunter said. “One thing I do know is that these girls will work hard and they will have fun doing it.”
Senior Marissa Chasse and junior Jacie Deabay are back as the team’s one-two mound combination. Chasse went 10-5 a year ago, while Deabay was 3-1. Both are strong hitters and defenders and will be in the lineup at the same time, Chasse in center field or shortstop and Deabay in right field when not pitching.
Junior Caitlin Paradis is another returnee at the catcher position. She led the Hornets in batting average last year at .553. Sophomore shortstop Cassidy Pelletier, who batted .523 in 2014 and led the team in RBIs, is a defensive standout who will be the No. 3 pitcher behind Chasse and Deabay.
The other returning starter is junior third baseman Laura Sturgeon, who is a dependable hitter and a solid infielder.
All three starting outfielders from last year’s team graduated, but juniors Savannah Flint, Whitney Page and Cassie Bolstridge are leading candidates to assume roles.
Samantha Watt, a junior, is pegged as the team’s starting second baseman.
Four freshmen join the roster, with Morgan Doughty seeing primary action in center field and Emilee Lothrop as a first baseman/outfielder. Brianna Harris and Micayla Driscoll are other ninth-graders who look to contribute right away.
Tammy Donovan is Hunter’s assistant coach and Carly Fredericks is the manager.
