HOULTON, Maine — It is not often that a team can overcome the loss of five starters and still be competitive. But that is precisely the case for the Houlton softball team this spring.
A strong mixture of seasoned veterans and talented newcomers comprise this year’s roster for the Houlton softball team. Travis Gentle returns for his sixth season at the helm of the Shires and has a bundle of returning talent.
“I think this year we will have a good combination of senior leadership and young players,” he said. “This is probably the largest incoming freshman class I have had since this group of seniors. I hope to capitalize on our overall speed and base running knowledge.”
Last season, the Shires finished 11-5 in the regular season, which earned the team the No. 5 seed in Class C North. Houlton travelled to No. 4 Narraguagus of Harrington, where the team fell 3-2 in a well-played quarterfinal contest.
Houlton’s seniors are Kristen Graham, Tyra Gentle (the coach’s daughter), Carolyn Mooers, Aspen Flewelling and Alex Maker. All five seniors have played together since they were freshman, the coach said.
The Shires also have two juniors, two sophomores and seven freshmen on the roster.
Because his team has not been outside much, coach Gentle said he has a hard time evaluating his players.
“As always I expect and play to win every game, but like I tell my players practicing/playing inside and hitting off a pitching machine is totally different then playing outside and hitting of live pitching,” Gentle said. “Until we are actually outside I can not truly evaluate a player.”
He added that this year’s squad is extremely versatile, with many players able to play in multiple positions, but there is still room for improvement.
“I hope to improve on our situational awareness,” Gentle said. “In addition, we need to improve in the outfield. For example, not only the way we catch a flyball, but the way we field a hit and knowledge of what base our throws go to from the outfield.”
Houlton will have a tough stretch to start its season as four of the team’s first five games are against squads who made the playoffs last season.
“As of now our fields are unplayable and we have been inside,” he said. “As in the past, the first time we are outside is usually our first away game of the year. This makes it difficult because teams downstate are usually outside 2-3 weeks before we are, or have access to fields with artificial turf.”
Houlton is tentatively slated to open its season Friday, April 20, at 1 p.m. at Orono.
