HODGDON, Maine — Fourth-year coach Michael Varney is cautiously optimistic that the Hodgdon varsity softball squad is ready to take a giant step forward this season.
After losing several close games a year ago, when the Hawks finished with a 5-9 record, coach Varney said the team has learned a great deal. The Hawks lost two games in extra innings and three others by one run.
But, one thing the Hawks cannot avoid is playing in one of the more difficult divisions.
“We have a tough schedule,” Varney said. “Seven of the teams we play this year were in the top 10 in Class D last year. I believe we can compete with any of these teams and make the playoffs.”
Because the Hawks do not have a junior varsity program, coach Varney has one of the largest rosters going for a softball squad with 19 players listed. Getting playing time for all of those individuals will prove tricky for the veteran coach.
Of those 19 players, just three are seniors, which should bode well for the future of the program. Members of the Hodgdon squad include seniors Samantha Palmer, Christine Wallace and Kayla Whitney; and juniors, Jamie Theriault, Jessi Tracy, Rachel Harmon, Hannah Sherman, Molly Veyesy, Alyssa Carmichael and Lillie McGuire.
The Hawk sophomores include Madison York, Deanna Foster and Tianna McEwen, while the freshman class features Taylor Desrosiers, Taylor Schillinger, Lizzy Neher, Jessica Drew, Tabetha Ganzel and Jill Gough.
“We are lucky to have three pitchers and a veteran catcher this year,” Varney said. “Also our fielding and hitting has improved each year.”
Tracy is the team’s veteran catcher. A three-sport athlete (soccer, hockey and softball), Tracy missed much of the hockey season as she recovered from a leg injury. She is expected to be fully recovered for softball.
Taking the ball inside the pitching circle will be the trio of Desrosiers, Theriault and Palmer. When not pitching Desrosiers and Theriault will split duties at shortstop, while Palmer will patrol the outfield.
The remaining infield spots will be anchored by McEwen (first base), Harmon (second base) and Sherman (third base), while the remainder of the team will vie for spots in the outfield and fill in as needed in the infield.
Cutting down on fielding errors and working on small ball techniques, such as bunting and slap hitting, are the top things coach Varney hopes to work on with his squad.
