The Washburn Beavers are starting the 2014 season with a solid lineup that features strong leadership and great depth, and coach Tammy Tatlock has high hopes for the team going into the first few games.
“We are pretty well balanced, but we have a couple of crucial seniors that will be greatly missed next year,” she said. “Last year we made it into the playoffs, and this year we are focusing on advancing in the playoffs.”
The Beavers are looking to seniors Nicole Olson and Carmen Bragg to lead the team this season. “[They] have been with the program for all four years and are the leaders of this year’s team,” Tatlock said. “They not only bring talent, but their leadership qualities as well.”
Tatlock sees pitching as being a key component for a successful season, and the Beavers have been developing some new talent in sophomore Liza Durette and junior Hannah Heald.
There is also plenty of depth to this season’s team, with three freshmen, six sophomores, three juniors and three seniors making up the roster.
Rounding out the team are outfielders Mariah Campbell, Rachel Rossignol and Kelsey Farr; infielders Taylor Howe, Rachel Driscoll, Kamryn Irving and Cheyenne Levesque; and utility players Mikayla Churchill, Catelyn Coulombe, Grace Braley and Brittany Corey.
Assistant coaches are Dave Heald and Amanda Libby, and the team is managed by Caitlyn Roix and Kaitlyn Maynard.
Some key matchups for the Beavers this season include Ashland, Fort Fairfield and Limestone, who, according to Tatlock, “all have a tremendous amount of talent.”
With the season finally underway and a strong lineup ready to take on the competition, the Beavers are hoping to make another push at a solid playoff run this year.
