Local players hope to make impact for UMPI softball squad

Littleton’s Megan Korhonen, Houlton’s Lainey Herring are starters
    PRESQUE ISLE – The University of Maine at Presque Isle softball team opened its spring season on the road at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in early March and won three of its first nine games in a solid showing for the first time out on the field.
    “We played some great competition and were able to be competitive, which will help us tremendously in the long run,” commented coach Terry Cummings following the team’s return to campus. “We felt very confident as we prepared for Sunrise Conference play.”
     The Owls also recently battled very strong Maine Maritime Academy team and we were able to get a split on the day. We won the first game 6-5 in extra innings and then lost the next game 6-1.
    “We had some fine pitching performances turned in from freshman hurler Krista Coffin in the first game and then junior Emily Moore in the second game,” stated Cummings.  “Maine Maritime Academy has been picked to finish second in the NAC this year, so that was a quality win.”
     The Owls are led by co-captains, and twin sisters Brittany and Danielle Humphrey of New Gloucester. Both student-athletes have shown tremendous leadership over their four years at the university, achieving success both on the field and in the classroom.
    Brittany, an outstanding shortstop, has started all four years and has compiled a batting average of at least .400 in each of the past two seasons. Her sister is the primary catcher for the Owls. Danielle is a tremendous presence and leader on the field.
    The other senior is Megan Korhonen of Littleton. She is a four-year volleyball and basketball standout who wanted to end her playing career with one season on the softball diamond. She and junior Cassie Green of Truro, Nova Scotia will split time at first base. Green does a great job at the plate as she sometimes bats clean-up for the Owls and she continues to improve defensively.
    Returning as the starting second baseman is junior Kathleen Higgins of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia.  Higgins came up with some big plays on the team’s recent spring trip. She teams with Brittany Humphrey to create a tough middle of the infield.
    Junior Desiree Smith of Thomaston returns as the starting third baseman. Smith is the Owls’ lead-off hitter and her tremendous athleticism and speed creates havoc for opposing defenses.
    Returning for her second season as the starting left fielder is sophomore Lainey Herring of Houlton.  She bats in the second spot in the batting order and is quick on the bases and has a lot of power at the plate. In center field, UMPI starts sophomore Kellie Peers of Caswell, who plays great defense and prevents a lot of runs from scoring. So far in the season, Peers has made several tremendous catches and on the offensive end, has come up with some clutch hits in the closing innings of play.
    Junior Carolynn Tuck of Brewer is the solid presence and the starter in right field. Tuck has made enormous strides and plays with a great amount of confidence, both on the defensive and offensive end.
    The pitching is anchored by freshman Krista Coffin of Presque Isle and junior Emily Moore of Lisbon.  Both have pitched very well for the Lady Owls, as each has earned recent shutout wins. They have solid velocity and good control. 
    Seeing time at both second base and on the mound is freshman Ashley Pennartz of Birch Harbor. She is a talented player and as she gains more experience at the college level through the season, will grow into a valuable addition to the Owls.
    Also seeing time at second base will be junior Emily Staples of Trenton. Staples has already made some great plays on the season and continues to get better every time out on the field. First-year player Kallie Pelletier of Madawaska will add depth at third base, the outfield and on the mound. A very athletic player, Pelletier can play anywhere on the field, which gives Cummings many options.
    Another first-year player, LeAnn Abbott of Sumner, will see time in the outfield for UMPI. A strong addition to the Lady Owls this year is freshman Jen Ouellette of Van Buren, who is a natural athlete and will develop into a very good player for UMPI as she acquires more experience on the team. Rounding out the roster is freshman Jasmine Cote of Limestone, who will see action both in the outfield and on the mound. As Cote gains confidence, she will become a key contributor for the Owls.
     “This is a great team to coach,” Cummings said. “They are very close-knit group and are hungry to win.  If we play to our potential, I feel we have a good shot to win the Sunrise Conference this season, which is our ultimate goal.” 
    The Owls are coming off a four-victory weekend against Fisher College in their conference games. The team is currently 8-9 overall.