Whether it is luck, amazing talent or just a group of women who love to play the game of softball, you can only imagine what the rest of the 2008 season holds for the Plymouth Softball team. After finishing the 2007 season with an overall record of 13-20, the women have bounced back tremendously in 2008, posting a 14-4 overall record and 2-2 in the Little East Conference.
After dropping their first two games in Florida, PSU went onto a 14-game winning streak, posting the best record in the LEC. PSU, however, was thwarted by Eastern Connecticut State University thus halting their amazing streak.
This year’s squad is co-captained by junior, Courtney MacFarland, and senior, Lori Pettengill.
“This year the time is so much closer than it was last year and we got a good crew of first-years,” MacFarland said, “We’ve got better hitting and pitching and I have the same amount of faith in my defense that I did last season.”
Last year’s team saw no seniors for the Panthers, but the 2008 season brings four seniors and nearly the entire squad from last year.
Returning for his fifth season as head coach of the Panthers, Bruce Addison feels optimistic about this year’s squad. “Our pitching held its own last year, but the defense sometimes let us down when we needed them to step up,” said Addison, “Offensively, we have good balance with a fair amount of power. If we can stay consistent in the field, a lot of good things are going to happen.”
Anchored by MacFarland, the pitching staff creates a lot of depth and talent to the Panther’s team. Sophomore, Kat Roland, returns after an impressive rookie season and sophomores Beth Moretti and Jenna George will get their chances on the mound. The pitching staff has been impressive thus far, posting an overall record of 14-4 with an earned run average of just 2.60. MacFarland and Roland have combined for 12 wins, each posting six victories this season thus far.
The Panther’s offense has been hot lately, too. PSU has seven players hitting over .300, while three are hitting well over the .400 mark. The team as a whole is hitting .294 thus far for the season while the dominant pitching staff has held opponents to a 2.28 batting average.
The Panther’s infield and outfield remains relatively intact from last year’s team including returnees, junior, Leanne Barry, senior, Shauna Isham, sophomore, Sammi Romano, junior, Heather Bartolo, seniors Danielle Normand and Ashley Fleming and sophomore, Kay LaBrie.
PSU traveled to Castleton State and Lyndon State earlier this week and will resume LEC action when they travel to Western Connecticut State University on April 10. Plymouths first home game is scheduled for April 15 against Keene State, field conditions pending.