Houlton finished 5-9 last season, missing out on the 10th, and final, playoff position by 4.1 Heal Points. The Shires played competitively in a number of games a year ago, but had difficulty stringing together a number of key hits when they needed them to secure victories.
That is something fourth-year coach Travis Gentle is hoping to improve upon this coming season.
“Baserunning and the ability to manufacture runs are one of our strengths,” he said. “We have gotten close to the playoffs the last two years and last year was certainly disappointing, but we really expect to make it this year.”
The 2016 roster includes seniors Makayla McGuire (first base) and Abby Fore (infield/outfield); juniors Elizabeth Ward (catcher), Makayla Fitzpatrick (outfield/pitcher), Emma Peterson (pitcher/outfield), Morgan Grant (outfield/infield), Lexi Fore (outfield/infield), Kianna Folsom (infield/outfield) and Olivia Gervais (infield); sophomores Aspen Flewelling (shortstop), Tyra Gentle (third base), Kristen Graham (pitcher/outfield) and Alex Maker (infield); and freshmen Molly Schneider (outfield) and Angelina Jones (outfield).
The Shires lost one senior to graduation, Emma Gallop, who was the team’s starting second baseman and also pitched.
Defense and pitching are the two areas coach Gentle plans to spend the most time working on this year.
“We made too many errors and walked too many batters last year,” he said.
Darcy Gentle will serve as an assistant coach this year. Houlton opens its season Wednesday, April 20, at 4 p.m. on the road at Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln.
