BIDDEFORD — After being ousted in the first round of the playoffs for two years straight, the Biddeford softball team is eager to get back to its winning ways in the postseason.
“I expect for us to be competitive. We made the playoff the last couple years. Our goal is to get to the playoffs and hopefully move on a little further then we did last year. Last year, we lost in the first round of the playoffs. It happened the year before that too,” said Biddeford head coach Mike Fecteau.
Senior Taylor Wildes, who was a freshman when the Tigers captured the Class A state title, believes Biddeford can get the job done this season.
“I think we’re going to be pretty young this year, but for the seniors, we’ve all been playing together for a while. For the sophomores, the varsity ones, have at least got a year with us and we’ve got some good freshmen coming up. I think we’ll be pretty good,” said Wildes. “Last year, we lost first round of playoffs so hopefully we’ll make it past and at least win a playoff game. I think that would be a good accomplishment for us.”
The team lost two players to graduation, but the Tigers believe their six seniors are ready to lead the way.
“The girls are working hard. We lost two seniors last year, but we have six seniors coming back. We have a lot of young girls and a lot of young talent so we’re excited about the season,” said Fecteau.
Fecteau will rely heavily on Wildes, Olivia Whittaker, Makayla Jean-Paul, Harmonie Coolbroth, Chantel Perrault and Lexi Matteau in 2019.
“Taylor Wildes played first base for us last year. Olivia Whittaker played second base, short stop. Chantel Perrault played third base. Lexi was our main pitcher last year…Harmonie was an outfielder,” said Fecteau of his seniors.
The seniors won’t do all the work as Fecteau will also look at younger talent to come through in clutch situations.
“We’ve got some good younger talent that played last year. We have Jordina Coleman, who started as a freshman in the outfield. Maddy Dineen played first, and Anna Lavigne played short stop for us for most of the year and did a great job for us,” said Fecteau. “We got some girls that have a little varsity experience hopefully they mature a little more this year as sophomores and juniors. They’re excited for the season.”
Perrault believes that her team’s age won’t hold them back when it comes to competition.
“We have a really young team, but I feel like there’s a lot of experience because there’s a lot of people who have played travel ball so I feel like we’re going to be prepared this year even though they’re young,” said Perrault.
Matteau agreed with her teammate.
“I think the team looks pretty good. We’ve been working really hard the past week for pitchers and catchers and conditioning so I think we’re doing really good,” said Matteau.
The Tigers will host South Portland on April 18 for their first game of the season.
“Every team is a battle. It’s a very competitive league,” said Fecteau. “The girls have to show up to play. You can’t just go and think you’re going to win the game because any given day anybody can beat anybody.”
— Sports Writer Sienna Barstow can be reached atsbarstow@journaltribune.comor at 780-9018. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.

Copy the Story Link

Comments are not available on this story.