YARMOUTH — Amy Ashley’s goal for every team she has coached has been to be better than the year before.
That’s going to be difficult for Yarmouth High’s softball team this year. The Clippers won the Class B state championship last spring, the school’s first softball title.
So Ashley’s goal for the Clippers is simple: “I want to make sure we play our hearts out and put ourselves in good position to go as far as we can in the playoffs.”
That could be pretty far.
The Clippers lost just three starters from last year’s championship squad, return ace pitcher Mari Cooper, and have a championship glow that has extended throughout the community’s softball program.
For the first time in at least four years, Yarmouth will have a full junior varsity squad, which Ashley says is directly related to the championship.
“The championship was great for the program, awesome for the players and coaches,” said Ashley, “but it was mostly for the softball community.”
Cooper, who went 15-1 and threw three shutouts in the regional tournament, said the younger players want to be part of the program now.
“I think that’s exactly what we needed for this program,” she said. “When the younger girls see these results, they say, ‘I want to be part of that.’ I know I would.”
That’s all well and good. But the coaches and players know they have to move past the glorious memories of last year and buckle down for a hard season ahead.
“We know we have a target on our back, and that’s never happened with Yarmouth softball before,” said senior center fielder Colleen Sullivan, who hit .431 last year. “So we’re going to have to really work as hard as we can and dedicate ourselves to softball. We have to live and breathe softball.”
Cooper, who had a 1.93 earned-run average and 120 strikeouts in 1122/3 innings, likes the pressure the championship has put on the team.
“It’s more exciting knowing that all eyes are on us and that we have no room for error,” she said. “That kind of pressure can bring out greatness in a team. I’m excited.”
Ashley likes that attitude.
“Whether we have a target on our back or not, it doesn’t matter,” she said. “The No. 1 team didn’t win last year. The regional final had a four and a seven (seed). You’ve got to make the routine plays.
“That’s what it comes down to and that’s what last year’s team did. It goes to show you that it’s not about just one player, it’s about the team.”
That’s why Yarmouth practices are spent going over game situations – again and again and again.
Ashley and her assistants want the Clippers to learn how to handle pressure situations before they occur in a game.
“To excel in pressure, you need to be put in pressure-packed situations,” she said.
Ashley and her husband, assistant coach Richie Ashley, will stop and explain what each player should be doing on every play. At a recent practice, they stressed cut-off throws, positioning feet on a base, moving on each pitch – “If you’re standing still, you’re doing something wrong,” said Amy Ashley – and communication.
Cooper said the team is ahead of last year’s championship squad.
“Everyone has that determination and energy,” she said. “We started (voluntary) workouts three weeks before (tryouts) and the majority of the team came to those. That’s where it all starts. I think it will carry us far.”
There are holes to fill: catcher, third base and left field. But Ashley is confident players will step up.
The Clippers have great experience in center field and in the middle of the infield, which is handled by junior twins Andrea (shortstop) and Sydney (second base) St. Pierre. Senior Eleanor O’Gorman is an exceptional defensive first baseman and hit .323 last year. Sophomore Sophia McGrath is a strong defensive outfielder.
Sophomore Cate Ralph, the designated player last year, hit .310, and freshman Cayte Tillotson are vying for the catcher’s position.
“We just need to have the same mindset we had last year,” said Sullivan. “We worked hard every day. We didn’t expect the championship. We just took it day by day.”
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