Biddeford’s Katie Stewart goes through a throwing drill at practice on Tuesday. ALEX SPONSELLER/ Journal Tribune
The Tigers graduated seven seniors, and also hired a new coach in Mike Fecteau. Biddeford worked it’s way to a 7-9 record, and fell to Massabesic in the Class A South Prelims.
Heading into the 2018 season, the Tigers are continuing to rebuild their roster, and will once again count on key returners as well as newcomers to help develop the Biddeford program.
“One thing with these girls is that they work hard, they listen to details which is great. They’re always competing and playing to win. Coming back from a state championship team they lost a lot of talented players so they had a lot of holes to fill last year,” said Fecteau. “We were competitive (last year) … this is going to be another rebuilding year. The girls are excited, it’s going to be a battle.”
Two players that Biddeford will be relying heavily on are slugger Brook Davis and pitcher Katie Stewart, who are the lone seniors on the roster.
“Over the years you’re used to seeing people go, people you look up to. Now this year, everyone is looking up to you so you want to be the best that you can be for them. Be the best role model you can be. This is a very young group so hopefully we can get it going,” said Davis on being one of the leaders in the locker room.
“We’ve been here the longest so we have to show them the ropes, show them how things go and leave a mark so that when they’re seniors next year they can carry it through,” added Stewart.
Fecteau has plenty of confidence in his two senior leaders, but is also excited to see the younger players step up too.
“Brook’s been starting since her freshman year so she’s a great leader. She’s got the mentality of a hard-nosed player. The younger players see the way she plays and it’s catchy, they follow what she does. Katie had a good year for us pitching and hitting. It’s going to take more than a couple of players (to lead),” said Fecteau.
Davis believes that the key to success will be the work that the Tigers put in at practice during the season.
“We need to work hard and make each other better. Working hard at practice and being the best we can be at practice so when we step on the field it comes easy to us. (We need) to work hard and keep getting better,” said Davis.
Although the Tigers are coming off an early playoff exit and will be featuring some new faces in the lineup, Fecteau feels that the Tigers will once again get every team’s best effort when they hit the field this season.
“We’re Biddeford softball, there’s always a target on our back because everyone is out to beat us. I don’t care what our record is, last year our record was around .500 and everyone was out to get us,” said Fecteau. “I don’t think anything is going to change, Biddeford has always been a respected program.”
Davis looks forward to finishing her last season in Biddeford strong before going to play for Division II St. Anselm next spring.
“We’re going to try to do something we did when we were sophomores but obviously that takes a lot of hard work and effort. It takes a lot from everyone so hopefully we can come out with a bang,” said Davis, “I’m looking forward to having a great season, having fun and having my last season at Biddeford High School.”
Stewart also hopes to enjoy her final days as a Biddeford Tiger.
“It’s very sad, I know on Friday I’ll remember this as my last pitchers and catchers and everything like that. I’m just trying to enjoy every moment and get my last season in with these girls since I really love them,” said Stewart.
— Associate Sports Editor Alex Sponseller can be reached at asponseller@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 323.
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