UNE softball team improved over last season

A young, but impressive, University of New England softball team had a 15-6 record following Friday’s game in Biddeford against Bates College of Lewiston.

Fourth-year head coach Neil Cross’ team has already played more games than it’s 1989 schedule when the Lady Knights went 14-5 and made it to the first round of the NAIA Dist. 5 tournament.

UNE increased its number of games this year via a spring trip to Florida in mid-March. The Lady Knights raised their own funds for the trip, and drove to Florida. Cross felt it was necessary for his 17-member squad of two seniors, two juniors, five sophomores, and six freshman to get experience early against good competition since he expects them to return to the NAIA District 5 tournament.

“We came back 7-6 from our trip to Pensacola,” he said. “We played the No. 3 team in the country and the No. 11 team. We got some really solid competition and I was very happy with the results.” Cross said UNE was “hammered” in some of its games, but coming home with a winning record made it all worthwhile.

UNE returns 11 veterans, having lost one to graduation last spring. Those veterans include the two seniors, Cheryl Bugbee of Saco, who plays first base, and Shelley Brown of Elma, N.Y., who is the third basemen.

The junior veterans are starting shortstop Lisa Nejezchleba of Georgetown, Mass., and starting left fielder Karen Thurston of Dover, N.H.

Thurston was injured in preseason so she started off slowly, but is hitting well at the moment. Unfortunately, UNE will lose the physical therapy major in post-season play when she does clinical work.

“That’s why we need solid backups in most positions,” Cross said. “Next year, as a senior, she won’t join us for preseason but will start in left field when she gets back.”

With its medical focus, UNE has an annual exodus of students who participate in off-campus study.

“Next year, we have a whole pile of junior physical therapists, and that could really hurt us,” Cross said.

That’s not the case right now, however, as those sophomores are on the field.

That class includes the team’s No. 1 pitcher, Katie Russell of West Caldwell, N.H., a windmiller, that was ranked fifth in the country among NAIA pitchers last year and is currently 10-2 with two no hitters and five shutouts.

Behind the plate is Julie LeDoux of Westport, Mass., and backing her up is Jill Cote of Gorham, N.H.

Jennifer Cullen, a starter last year who hit .350, just became reeligible, and, as soon as possible, will be the team’s leadoff hitter. Marney Elliott of Rumford batted .401 as the designated hitter last season and this year has become the starting second baseman. “Her batting is down as she adjusts to the new position,” Cross said, “but she will come along.”

Three freshman have earned starting positions. Karen Bailey of Portland starts in the outfield and is the team’s second pitcher. She’s 4-4 with one no-hitter. Lisa Hilton, also of Portland, starts in right field and is a storng hitter and Freshman Chris Abate of Cheshire, Conn., is the team’s designated hitter.

The UNE roster includes reserves Kim Jewell, a sophomore from Belmont N.H., who will work in the outfield and as a back up pitcher. She hit her first home run of the season in Florida. Sophomore Toni Cavanaugh of St. Albans and Jennifer French, Goffstown, N.H., are backup outfielders; and Kim Hopkins of Westminster, Md., fills in at shortstop.

“Defensively, pitching, and hitting we’re a good, solid team,” Cross said. “The big improvement compared to last year is that our outfield was shakey then. But now we have five really solid outfielders, and our hitting has improved.”