HODGDON, Maine — How does one replace a number of talented players? That is something second-year Hodgdon softball coach Sarah Williams must figure out if the team wants to experience success on the diamond this year.
The Hawks finished 2-12 in Eastern Class D last year. That division is now called Class D North as part of changes by the Maine Principals’ Association. Unlike basketball, however, where the Hawks played in Class C, the squad will remain in Class D for softball.
Gone from that squad are several key figures from recent years, including Jamiee Theriault. Hannah Sherman, Rachel Harmon and Jessi Tracy.
A young, but talented ballclub comprises this year’s Hawk softball roster. Coach Williams had several of the players on this year’s team when she coached in middle school.
The squad consists of seniors Tianna McEwen (first base) and Jasity Stoddard (outfield); juniors Tabetha Ganzel (outfield), Taylor Desrosiers (pitcher/infield) and Jessica Drew (outfield); Lexi McGuire (pitcher/second base), Jordyn McKissick (outfield/second base), Sidney Crane (pitcher/shortstop), Janelle Goff (outfield/third base), Kendra Grensko (catcher), Hailey Heath (outfield/third base), Hannah Elland (first base), Kathryn Rediker (outfield), Megan Russell (pitcher/infield) and Grace Graham (outfield/second base); and freshman Kora Lambert (outfield).
“We have some good talent this year. We are made up of mostly sophomores, so we are a young team,” she said. “Each year we gain a bit more confidence and show more knowledge and awareness of the game. A few of the girls have attended clinics and camps and have brought back some valuable skills and techniques to share with the team.”
While she served as a co-coach with Mike Varney last year, this season Williams is the sole mentor for the young squad.
“Mike and I have worked closely together over the past five years to really create a program in grades 6-12,” Williams said. “Amanda Stubbs is now the middle school coach and she has been a wonderful asset to helping grow our program.”
The Hawks will look to play intelligently when on the diamond, something Williams said she takes great pride in.
“We are a smart team,” she said. “Softball is a very strategic game and we have a team of girls with brains in the classroom and on the field.”
Some of the areas she plans to work on as the season progresses are all things involving speed, whether it is on the base paths or making quick release throws. Teaching patience at the plate is another area she plans to address.
Williams added she expects big things from McEwen, a senior captain for the Hawks.
“Tianna is our captain, first baseman, and one of our big hitters,” she said. “She brings a lot of talent to our team and has one of the best arms of all the teams we play.”
The coach also has high hopes for McGuire inside the pitching circle. “Lexi has been working year-round on her pitching and has made some big gains from last year so we are looking for her to really step up this year for us,” the coach said.
Crane and Desrosiers are two other very versatile players with natural talent that Williams said could be poised for big seasons.
The Hawks have also welcomed Russell, a transfer student from Southern Aroostook, and Graham, a student from the Greater Houlton Christian Academy.
Although the Hawks’ field has been too wet to play on, Williams remains optimistic the team will be able to get at least a couple of practices in before their first game.
Like the basketball team, the Hawks squad is dedicating their season to classmate Addie Woods, a sophomore at the school who has to sit out the season as she undergoes chemotherapy.
“She plans to come watch as many games as she can, and hopefully help keep the book for us when she is feeling up to it,” Williams said. “Addie is one of the girls on the team who has attended clinics and gained some great skill and knowledge of the game. We will miss her on the mound and at third base.”
The team started a “Runs for Addie” fundraiser in which they are asking people to pledge a specified amount of money of their choice per run scored this year as a team.
“At the end of the season, we will multiply pledge amounts by the number of runs we scored in the season, and people will pay up,” Williams said. “All proceeds will go straight to Addie. Her strength and positive attitude through all she is facing motivates us, so we hope to score a lot of runs this year to show her our support until she can return to our team full time.”
Assisting Williams are managers Sarah McGillicuddy and Woods.
Hodgdon is slated to open its season Friday, hosting Woodland at 4 p.m. if field conditions allow.
