Lady Cougars optimistic

By Gloria Austin  
Staff Writer
    The Katahdin Lady Cougars softball team will field a good mix of veterans and rookies this season under co-coaches Terry Duffy and Matt Lindsay.
    The Lady Cougars are returning six starters from a year ago, who will be joined by three promising freshman players.
    “We anticipate having a good year,” said Duffy.
    Back to handle the bulk of the pitching is junior Myah Smallwood, with junior Dani-Beth Cyr providing backup, while battery mates will be junior Mariah Williams and freshman Megan Merry. Rounding out the infield will be senior Kali Rush at first; freshman Mikayla Patterson at second; senior Melissa Duffy at shortstop and freshman Bailey McNally at third.
    Roaming the outfield will be senior Olivia McNally in left field and Cyr in centerfield, with Merry in right when not catching.
    Duffy believes his squad will have solid pitching and good defense. But, offensively, he will look for more ways to generate offense and initiate more aggressive base running.
    “The only negative we have right now,” said Duffy, “is the lack of players.”
    But, this isn’t unfamiliar to the Lady Cougars who have struggled with lack of numbers in both soccer and basketball. Despite the drawback, the girls have played competitively, and there is no reason for them not to be contenders in the Class D ranks for softball.