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| File photo Jordann Coiley is one of 14 returning players for the 2012 Fort Fairfield High School softball team. The Tigers will be looking to improve on last year’s 4-12 record. |
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By Jon Gulliver
Staff Writer
FORT FAIRFIELD — The Fort Fairfield High School softball team last spring was young, very young, said coach Jamie Selfridge.
“Last year was a rebuilding year,” the fifth-year coach said. “We had many freshmen and sophomores. We worked on the fundamentals and their mental game. Working on the basics will help us prepare to be a successful team in the future.”
Fourteen players are back for the Tigers, who went 4-12 last spring. They didn’t lose anyone to graduation, but one player switched to track and the projected starting shortstop will be out for the majority of the season with an injury.
There is only one senior on the roster, Keegan Watt. Also on the squad are: juniors Kelsey Turner, Camille Huffman, Sydney Churchill, Emily Blaisdell and Rebecca Pelkey; sophomores Shyanna Smith, Abbey Player, Erin Williams, Jordann Coiley, Alyssa Doughtery, Cassidy Godin, Sydney McEwen and Madison Watson; and freshmen Melissa Hotham, Loren Edgecomb and Sarah Owens.
Selfridge said it is too early to determine a set lineup, and some players are adjusting to new positions, but it will all come together before the Tigers’ first game, which is at home on Tuesday, April 24 against Ashland at 4 p.m.
Coach Selfridge said the team will have to find a balance between winning and the need to learn life skills as part of being a member of a team.
“It is important for the girls to learn responsibility, work ethic and team building as these skills will serve them later in life,” he said. “We also will work hard with the goal of winning games, but we will not sacrifice character to do that.”
As far as the keys to success for 2012 the coach said, “We will need to be aggressive at the plate and work hard on the offensive game. Strong base running will be a necessity.”
John McCrea will be back at the assistant coach for the fourth year.
The Tigers are thin on opponents this year, with only 11 games on the schedule. Their regular season wraps up on Wednesday, May 30 on the road against Central Aroostook.
