The Hermon High School softball team has won 22 of its last 23 games and is coming off a second straight appearance in the Class B state final.
The 7-5 loss to Yarmouth in last year’s state game, after they had shut out Wells 6-0 in the 2014 title game, did not sit well, and the Hawks are eager to redeem themselves.
So far this season, the Hawks are 7-0 and have outscored their opponents 105-3. They played John Bapst of Bangor on Thursday.
Junior catcher Hailey Perry said last year’s state game loss has “definitely given us more motivation.”
“We all have the attitude that we are going to bring it every game. No matter the outcome, we’re just going to work hard,” she said.
“We don’t like to lose,” said third-year head coach Megan McCrum. “Our kids put in a lot of time and effort, and they set goals for themselves. The past few years, the goal has been to get to the state game and win it. We fell short last year.”
Hermon has played in three of the last six state finals, also claiming the title in 2010, and it has won 42 of its last 47 games.
McCrum knew she was going to have another title contender this season after losing just two starters from a year ago: second baseman Claire Petersen and third basemen Kylie Kennedy.
“I figured we would be just as good, even better than last year’s team,” said ace senior left-handed pitcher Karli Theberge, who is 5-0 this season. “We only lost a few people, and everyone has stepped up in their new positions. It’s going well.”
Theberge has won seven of her last eight playoff game starts.
“She is obviously a great pitcher,” said McCrum. “She has a lot of experience, she has a mound presence. She is composed, throws hard and her ball moves.”
Theberge will pitch for Castleton University in Vermont next season.
Impressive freshman Breanne Oakes has won her two starts, and McCrum said sophomore Katie Windsor and freshman Megan Chamberlain also are capable pitchers.
Junior Lexi MacManus has replaced Petersen at second base after playing right field a year ago, and Windsor is the new third baseman.
Theberge, who plays first or the outfield when she isn’t pitching, and Perry have been the offensive catalysts on a team that has a lot of productive hitters.
Senior center fielder Deanna Phipps has already hit three homers after not having any during her first three seasons. Perry has a pair of homers.
Sophomore right fielder Laura Zenk has done an exceptional job in the lead-off spot according to McCrum, and she called Windsor an “awesome” No. 9 hitter.
Veteran first baseman Sydney Addessi is a quality hitter in the fifth spot in the order, and Oakes has done a nice job as the designated hitter.
Chloe Raymond won the shortstop job, and fellow junior Jaelen Albert is the left fielder. Junior Emily Perley is a solid infielder and hitter.