STANDISH

When Kelsie Obi walked onto the Richmond High School softball field as a freshman prior to the start of the 2012 season, she had no idea what was about to happen.

Fast-forward four seasons, and the recently-graduated, and soon to be Central Maine Community College biology major, Bobcats first basemen is within grasp of leading her team to a third straight State Class D title, with Richmond slated to face Eastern D champion Stearns on Saturday at St. Joseph’s College in Standish. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m.

The record speaks for itself. Over these past four years, the Bobcats have a mark of 67-2. That is a winning percentage of 97 percent. Richmond heads into Saturday riding a 51-game winning streak, the last loss coming in the State Class D title game to Penobscot Valley, 4-2, when Obi was a freshman and her sister Chika was the team’s catcher.

Go back three years prior to Kelsie’s first high school game. Her sister’s first three Richmond softball squads were 45-5, so since the 2009 season the Bobcats sport an almost ridiculous 112-7 mark (winners in 94 percent of their games) with three state titles.

“It is a lot of work to get here,” said Kelsie after her single in the fifth inning on Tuesday put Searsport away, 12-0, in the Western D Regional final, Richmond’s sixth straight Regional championship. “It was really cool because everybody was looking for me to get that last hit to finish things off. It felt good when it dropped and was important to me. We always have to practice, practice, practice because it takes a lot of hard work to get where we are.”

“She is not flashy,” said Richmond coach Rick Coughlin, who is nearing the end of his 29th season leading the Bobcats and hoping for his seventh state championship. “She just plays like she can play. She is consistent, and that is the thing about her. She always does her job. She is a leader, and has been there for a while. She is the oldest one and the kids look up to her.”

Freshman year

The daughter of Mitzi, Kelsie was a bit nervous when she took the field as a freshman. Ultra-competitive with Chika (2012 Richmond graduate), Kelsie said the duo have been known to have an occasional spat.

“It was very difficult because me and my sister always butt heads, so to play on the same team and not trying to butt heads was difficult,” said Kelsie. “I love my sister, and at home we may not get along all the time, but on the field I would love to have my sister right out there with me again. She is a very big supporter. She is always texting and saying ‘Kelsie I love you. Keep doing great!’ When I get that text or a call from her, it really builds you up.”

Softball is not the only sport that Kelsie has excelled in while attending Richmond. She has been the soccer team’s starting goaltender over the last four years, reaching four straight State Class D finals and winning two. The Bobcats have compiled a 62-5 mark during Kelsie’s tenure. When adding together the records for softball and soccer, Kelsie’s Richmond teams have a combined 129-7 record, a winning percentage of nearly 95 percent.

Kelsie said her leadership style is about having fun.

“I look to be an older sister to the team,” said Kelsie. “These girls are all younger than me and I love to have fun with them. We always are having fun. We pick on each other when things are down and just pick each other back up.”

“She is so important, one of the most important people on this field,” said junior right fielder Kalah Patterson. “Kelsie always picks us up, stays positive. If someone makes an error, she is there to pick you up. She is just a great senior.”

As for her on-field prowess, Kelsie seems to prefer staying in the background. But, as Coughlin said, his senior first baseman is important to his team’s success.

“Right from the start, Kelsie was a key player,” said the Richmond coach. “She came in and played first, and has held down the position ever since. She handled playing with her sister very well. Playing first base as a freshman is tough, and she has done it well.”

When asked, Kelsie had trouble remembering that last softball loss.

“I have had a ton of fun here,” said Kelsie. “It is sad that it is ending soon, but I have had a fun ride with these girls and the girls who graduated earlier. Rick is great. I love him. He can push and push and push, but he always means the best. He will do whatever he has to do to push us, but he is always right there for all of us.”