Even though the Calais softball team had to wait out a few days of rain to claim the first Class C state championship in program history, that set off a bit of a domino effect of similar success in other sports.
After most of the nucleus of coach Greg Smith’s club earned subsequent titles on the volleyball court and basketball hardwood, the Blue Devils are raring to defend their championship on the softball diamond. However, with all but four starters having graduated, a return to the top of the Class C mountain could be a steep climb.
“I think it’s going to be real tough,” Smith said. “Woodland’s going to be real tough, I think, Central will be tough, you can never count out Washington Academy and the other team we’re looking out for is Orono.”
Calais’ returnees are first baseman Nicole Osborne, catcher Honor Wilkinson, outfielder Shannon Brown and shortstop Alex McVicar, while Rachel Cundiff and Allison Hill are among four pitchers who should see action in the circle.
“We’re going to have to kind of put the pieces together a little bit, but if we play well I definitely think we’ll be OK,” Smith said.
Especially if Osborne keeps up a torrid senior year in which she’s earned all-state honors in volleyball and basketball.
“That’s what makes these girls tough, they’ve been in these situations, it carries over to other sports. They don’t get too uptight,” Smith said.
Calais was solid defensively last year, since former pitcher Tessa Clark wasn’t a strikeout pitcher, and since the number of strikeouts may decrease slightly with the pitcher’s plate moving from 40 feet to 43, Smith expects another strong season in the field.
“I’d rather see balls in play myself and use the defensive game to determine who wins or loses rather than having 15-16 strikeouts per game,” he said. “The more that we can get kids involved in the game benefits the game. I’m kind of looking forward to that, but good pitchers will still be good.”
Woodland, which moved up from Class D after winning a state championship there a year ago, graduated only senior catcher Julia Nicholas.
Coach Jim Brown’s club will be playing with heavy hearts this season after the passing of former head coach Rick Pullen last July.
The Dragons feature one of the region’s top pitchers in Shelby Bassett, who recorded 10 strikeouts in Woodland’s 8-2 win over Buckfield in the state final last year.
Woodland also has a solid infield in Ariel Knights, Taylor Cochran, Christine Boomer and Marlene Flaherty with Ashley Laking and Molly White patrolling the outfield.
“[Pullen] and I last season talked several times on the phone about our team, his team, and just comparing notes and it was just awesome for both of us to win the state championship last year,” Smith said. “I was very happy for him; he was for us. They’ve got a good coach there now, the girls know who he is. They’re going to be playing for Rick this year and they’ll do a good job for [Brown].”
Central, which moved down to Class C after a two-year stint at the Class B level, is poised for a championship pursuit as well.
With nine returning starters, coach Durice Washburn has lofty expectations for her Red Devils, who finished a respectable 7-9 against Class B competition a year ago.
“I think being up in Class B probably helped us in the long run. We’ve seen more consistent pitching over the last couple years,” said Washburn. “I think that’s going to help us.”
Junior Alix Rudzinski is entering her second year as Central’s top pitcher, with classmate Amber Conroy spelling her in the circle.
“I think that you’ll probably look for Alix to go more at striking people out where Amber depends more on keeping the ball down and letting the defense do the work,” Washburn said.
Having pitchers with contrasting styles could work to Washburn’s advantage.
“It’s nice to have two of them. If one is having an off night, you have an option,” she said. “It’s not like teams that have one or live and die by that.”
The Red Devils’ other returnees include Roberta Trafton at catcher, Katie Day (third base), Brianna Speed (shortstop), Jocelyn Portmann (second), Sam Blanchard (first), with Kaitlynn Stymeist, Michelle Ferry and Scarlett Stevens in the outfield.
“I do hope to be deep in the playoffs. I have pretty high expectations for the year,” said Washburn. “We should be in the top four.”
Central has tasted success in Class C in the past, with a state championship in 2005 and state runner-up finish a year later.
