STACYVILLE, Maine — Second-year Katahdin coach Justin Stevens is cautiously optimistic about his team’s chances of success on the softball diamond this spring.
Katahdin first baseman Maizy Cullen, left, catches the ball on a pickoff attempt as Hodgdon’s Allie Winship dives back to first base during an April 25 game in Hodgdon. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
And if the team’s season-opening game against Hodgdon is any indication, the coach has good reason for that optimism. On Thursday, April 25, the Cougars blasted their way to a 14-2 victory over Hodgdon in their first action of the spring.
“I think we will be a pretty solid team and we are hoping to make it to the Maine [North championship] game,” coach Stevens said. “Overall we have a very good team. Our infield and pitching is very strong.”
That pitching will feature junior Lily Cullen inside the circle again this year. The talented hurler has been Katahdin’s top pitching option for the past two seasons and she has developed into one of the more talented throwers in southern Aroostook County.
Hodgdon pitcher Erin Peters, left, fields a bunt as Katahdin’s Erin Lake races down the base path during an April 25 game in Hodgdon. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
The team had very little time to prepare for that first game of the season as the Cougar’s softball diamond, like most others in The County, was covered with snow for much of April. Fortunately, many of the team’s returning positional players are back this season.
Last year, the Cougars clawed out an impressive 11-3 regular season record, which earned the team the No. 3 seed in Class D North and a first-round bye. Katahdin beat No. 6 East Grand 5-2 in the quarterfinals, but then fell 20-0 to eventual regional champ Penobscot Valley in the semifinals.
The Cougars lost two seniors from that squad, but an influx of five new freshmen should help fill that void.
Katahdin’s roster includes a number of returning players. The Cougars feature seniors Lindsay Drew (shortstop) and Erin Lake (third base); juniors Lily Cullen (pitcher), Jordyn Gardner (outfield) and Shelby Lewis (outfield); sophomore Emma McNally (2nd base); and freshmen Makayla Hartsgrove (catcher), Maizy Cullen (first base), Kayla Parsons (outfield/pitcher), Nakita Keim (outfield) and Aloura Fleming (outfield)
Coach Stevens said his goal for the year is simple — to focus on fundamentals.
“I hope we keep improving on our defense as I feel the defense is the key to winning games,” he said.
