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The 2009 University of Maine softball team experienced a 21-win improvement from the previous season in coach Deb Smith’s return to the helm. Their absence from the America East Conference playoffs, however, left the team’s seven seniors with a definite goal as they prepare for the 2010 campaign.
“We want to make the playoffs. We want to win conference,” said senior shortstop Kristen Calvetti. “That’s been our goal since we were freshmen.”
UMaine followed an 11-win season in 2008 with a 32-22 overall record and 12-9 in conference games. It was their best mark since going 35-19 and 16-5 in 2006.
Senior tri-captain Alexis Souhlaris, the America East Co-Player of the Year last spring, headlines the veteran roster. Senior catcher Stephanie George and senior utility player Whitney Spangler will join Souhlaris as captains. Outfielder Erin Iandoli and pitchers Christine McGivney and Cayleigh Montano round out the senior class.
“This year, with these guys being seniors, our focus right now is making playoffs,” Smith said. “It’s a talented group. They need to make playoffs. If we don’t, I think that everyone would be disappointed.”
The Black Bears lost 2008 America East Player of the Year and school hits leader Ashley Waters to graduation, but the second baseman was one of two starters that will need to be replaced. First baseman Courtney Gingrich also graduated. Waters and Souhlaris were both named to the 2009 National Fastpitch Coaches Association Northeast All-Regional First-Team.
The Black Bears will open the season Thursday at the Red Desert Classic in St. George, Utah. The tournament includes 2009 NCAA tournament participant Brigham Young University. It will be the first of five tournaments around the country for UMaine before the conference schedule begins on March 27.
Smith looks for the team to develop consistency in the early games.
“The early tournaments are actually really good for us, because not only do we have a good mix of mid-level teams that will definitely be in the top half of their conferences, there are also going to be some teams that are going to be competing for top-25 spots,” Smith said.
America East champion Boston University highlights UMaine’s conference schedule. They will visit Kessock Field for three games in May.
Offense and team speed should fuel the Black Bears, while they seek improvement defensively and in pitching. Souhlaris finished in the top three in the conference in six offensive categories last year. She finished first in hits (73), runs (48) and total bases (126), second in batting average (.397) and third in home runs (12). She also stole 25 bases. Calvetti and junior third baseman Terren Hall both batted above .300.
“I feel really confident as far as our offense goes,” Souhlaris said. “I think we’re at a better spot going into the season this year than we were last year. There’s still room for improvement, but I think by the time conference comes, we’ll be ready to go.”
Smith feels Souhlaris is often her toughest critic, and Souhlaris agreed that the biggest obstacle in improving on last year’s statistics may be herself.
“I can’t let a season like last year get to me this year,” Souhlaris said. “I’m just trying to stay down-to-earth and keep my mental game up.”
Souhlaris will likely be the ace of the pitching staff that graduated 22-game starter Jenna Balent. Smith also plans to convert Souhlaris from an outfielder to a middle infielder when she is not in the pitching circle.
“I think that’s kind of been helping me out, that there’s a new challenge there for me,” Souhlaris said.
“When she’s really fresh and on top of her game, she can help us tremendously in the circle,” Smith said. “She brings leadership and athleticism, whether it’s infield, whether it’s outfield. We really look to have her on the field as much as possible.”
Souhlaris and Spangler, a former catcher, will compete for time at second base, along with University of Vermont transfer Margaret Hilton and redshirt sophomore Brynne Davis, who Smith said came on offensively near the end of last season. The same four will also relieve Calvetti at shortstop.
“Realistically, there’s four legitimate players that will see some time early on,” Smith said.
Calvetti was paired with Waters as a double-play combination for the past three seasons, and said it will be hard to adjust to someone new.
“It’s been hard, especially when we’re working on first and thirds,” Calvetti said. “It takes time, but I think we’ll be just fine.”
Hall and junior Kirstin Allen will fill the corner infield spots, and will be backed up by freshman Hillary Kane, whom Souhlaris praised for her arm strength and quick hands with the bat. Junior Kali Burnham and Iandoli will patrol the outfield. Burnham batted .288 and started 52 of 54 games last year. Speedy freshman Chelsea Soule will also contend for a spot in the outfield.
Smith anticipates freshman Beth Spoehr will join the pitching staff to complement McGivney, Montano, Souhlaris, junior Jordan McLain and sophomore Ashley Kelley. Kelley was selected to the conference All-Rookie team last spring after finishing with a 7-7 record and 3.03 ERA in a team-high 27 appearances. She made 11 starts. UMaine’s pitching staff finished with a league-high 2.75 team ERA last year.
“That’s the question mark, and then from there it’s finding the most consistent defense that’s going to really back up those pitchers,” Smith said. “That was a bit of a hole for us last year, and while it was improved, it needed to be improved even more so, and I think we’ve done that.”
UMaine will host three weekend series at Kessock Field. Along with the three games against Boston University, the Black Bears will host Binghamton University and the University of Maryland Baltimore County for three games each in April.
