The University of Southern Maine Women’s softball team is off to an excellent start this spring under the leadership of USM alum Coach Bonnie Brown-Denico, who collected her 200th career victory on March 20. As of press time the Lady Huskies stood at 13-3, and their coach has high hopes for her team. The Lady Huskies are rich in experience and are an aggressive squad that is sure to return to the postseason tournament.
This year’s team has six first year players who have worked very hard to join the 13 experienced veterans on the roster. Ninth year coach Brown-Denico, a former USM standout, is proud to have great veteran leadership on her squad. In fact, she named four seniors as captains: Renee Heath, Darci Holland, Jessie Becher and Emily Forbes.
The level of experience is extremely valuable as USM looks to improve on last year’s overall record of 26-14.
The Lady Huskies started their season with a trip to Florida, where they played ten games and went an impressive 8-2. However, Coach Brown-Denico feels the team has only scratched the surface of their capability and fully expects even more out of her team.
“I’m hoping we didn’t hit our potential in Florida,” said Brown-Denico.
USM improved their record to 13-3 on Thursday as they easily swept the Lady Monks of in state rival St. Joseph’s College. USM outscored St. Joe’s a combined 17-2 over the course of the two games. USM made good use of the merciful eight run rule in the first game as they came away victorious by a score of 11-0 in five innings.
The Lady Huskies composed an offensive explosion in the third inning as all 11 of their runs were scored. The run support was more than enough for sophomore hurler Katie Mainville, whose performance featured four strikeouts and only one walk as she improved her record to 7-0. Mainville has already been recognized this season as Pitcher of the Week in the Little East Conference.
Coach Brown-Denico is visibly happy to have a talent such as Mainville playing in her program and seems to truly enjoy her presence on the team.
“She’s awesome, a great team player, who is pitching really well. She’s a great athlete. She goes with the flow and doesn’t let much bother her,” said Brown-Denico.
In the second game, USM took care of business once again as they came away with a 6-2 victory behind the pitching of junior Melissa Henderson who had six strikeouts while only walking two as she improved her record to 5-3 on the season.
Another player whom Coach Brown-Denico was happy to speak of and holds in high regard along with the rest of her team is first baseman Jessie Becher, who took last season off and has returned with avengence for the 2004 campaign. Taking into account last year’s hiatus, Brown-Denico didn’t want to put too much pressure on Becher, so she was penciled into the starting lineup at the bottom of the batting order. However, four games into the 2004 season Brown-Denico made an imperative adjustment and put the speedy left-handed slugger in the leadoff spot.
When asked if she planned on utilizing Becher’s speed by calling on her to drag bunt, Brown-Denico quickly responded, “No, she crushes the ball…hits for power.”
USM travels to Endicott College for a doubleheader on Monday April 12.
Andrew Sparda can be contacted at [email protected]