PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Coming off its second consecutive USCAA national tournament appearance and a 22-16 record, the Owl softball team looks to have another successful year.
Coach Sara Shaw is excited about the Owls’ potential.
“We have a great group of girls this year,” Shaw said. “They love softball, they’re competitors, and they are just a fun group to be around and coach. I’m looking forward to our season.”
The Owls are led by their captains, senior pitcher Sara Packard of St. Albans, senior infielder Nicole Marucci of Naples, and junior pitcher and infeilder Alissa Edwards of Nebraska City, Nebraska.
Packard, a two-time first team USCAA All-American, recorded an earned run average of 3.16 and garnered all of the Owls’ 22 wins last year on the mound, while hitting for a .350 average, collecting 28 RBIs and hitting four homers on the year.
Marucci was selected to the USCAA second team as she led the Owl starters in batting average (.393) and RBIs (30), while also hitting four home runs. Edwards looks to come back strong after suffering from a knee injury this past season.
These three will lead a young UMPI team, which has 11 freshmen on the roster. Of the nine returnees, junior Brianna Losee of Pittsfield led the team in stolen bases with 15 while carrying a .340 batting average. Jackie Peers of Limestone returns for her sophomore year after batting .333 a year ago. Delanie Strout of Greene begins her second year after batting .293 last year.
Ayana Walker of Columbus, Georgia, hit two home runs and batted .262 as a freshman. Jordi Legassie, a junior from Presque Isle, held a .350 batting average and swiped nine bases. Alexis Levesque of Madawaska enters her second year with the Owls after a great freshman campaign. She hit .563 and knocked in 10 runs in just 16 at bats.
First-year players are Roni Shaw and Madison Exferd, both of Payette, Idaho; Hailey Davenport of Chicago; Anaiz Diaz of Tampa, Florida; Melanie Terry of Moreno Valley, California; Marissa Reagle of Seattle; Margaret Dickinson of Brunswick; and Emily Page of Lincoln.
Shaw said this young diverse group will look to push the Owls’ success even higher than previous years.
