WATERBORO — The Massabesic softball team was a surprise last season. A team that came out of nowhere to make the Western Maine Class A playoffs.
But entering the 2012 season, the Mustangs are anything but a sleeper. Instead, Massabesic is one of many York County teams looking to overthrow Scarborough as a Western Maine Class A powerhouse.
“I really think this is an all-around team,” head coach Ray Magnant said. “They can hit the ball with the best of them. They showed they can play defense. Our strength is our pitching. We’ve got two No. 1 (pitchers) that can throw.”
The Mustangs showed some of that potential last week against Marshwood. Down 1-0 early in the contest, the Mustangs fought back late to tie the game 1-1 and forced the contest into extra innings. In the eighth inning, with a runner on second, outfielder Regan Adams smacked a pitch into the outfield for a base hit, scoring the game-winning run, giving Massabesic a 2-1 win and a 1-0 start to the regular season.
“They hit the ball, all game long, we just couldn’t sneak (a run) through,” said Magnant, who takes over the program after Bruce Norton stepped down after last season. “I told them to hang in there, they did, and we finally poked one through. Big hit, big win.”
But it went beyond the timely hitting. Massabesic showed its true strength in the game; pitching and defense. Against the Hawks, Dani Egan struck out 15 batters, allowing a run on six hits. At one point, Egan struck out 10 batters in a row.
Egan will have the opportunity to consistently do that all through the 2012 season, much like she did through 2011, when she struck out 114 batters. She will be joined in the rotation with McAuley transfer Gabby Townsend.
Also rock solid was Massabesic’s defense, which shortstop Emily Schatz will once again lead. With a slick glove and a strong right arm, Schatz has quietly become one of the best softball players in the area. Schatz was also big at the plate for Massabesic last season, leading the Mustangs with a .412 on-base percentage.
Add to the batting order Adams and Taylor Bergeron, and the Mustangs have a potent lineup that rivals that of the top area teams.
“I expect us to be pretty good,” Adams said. “I think we can manage (against other area teams).”
The going will not be easy in Western Maine Class A for Massabesic. The Mustangs will have to fight with the usual suspects in York County; Thornton Academy, Biddeford and Kennebunk. Even the Mustangs’ rival, Sanford, who beat Massabesic in the Western Maine Class A preliminary game last season, has enough playoff experience and talent to get into the tournament.
But Magnant said he thinks all the Mustangs will need is a little team chemistry.
“Just coming together,” Magnant said. “I think that’s all they need to be really successful this year.”
Last year, it was the playoffs. In 2012, a regional final appearance may be a goal now for the Mustangs.
— Contact Dave Dyer at 282-1535, Ext. 323.
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