Anderson happy with team’s start

University of Maine softball coach Janet Anderson was pleased with her team’s 7-10 start entering two Wednesday games during its Florida trip.

Anderson believes her young Black Bears – who are competing in the Rebel Spring games in Ocoee and the South Florida Classic in Tampa – are performing very well considering they are playing teams with many more games under their belts the Bears.

Maine played four nationally ranked teams in the South Florida Classic, and although suffering four losses, only one was a blowout, Anderson said. Maine lost by two runs to both South Flordia and Oklahoma, and by one run to South Carolina.

The Bears also lost 3-0 to Sanford and, following a rain delay that lasted from morning to evening, lost a 9:30 p.m. contest to Creighton 11-0.

Despite that tournament record, Anderson said the experience was a positive one.

“The way they played was great,” Anderson said in a telephone interview on Wednesday, “especially when you’re up against teams that have been playing longer. Most of them had just come out of other major tournaments before coming to Florida.”

The players Anderson cited as having a good start on the spring trip are freshmen: infielders Kristin Steele at third base and Angela Gamache at second, and rookie pitcher Deb Smith (4-6). Smith, who is also doing well at the plate, has pitched more than her share, filling in for sophomore Mary Campbell who is still fighting pneumonia.

Campbell has been to the Orlando Medical Center for treatment and medication.

“She seems 100 percent better, during the day, with the new medication and is much stronger and happier,” Anderson said.

Campbell (3-4) had difficulty breathing, especially when the weather was humid.

To date, Maine has suffered no injuries. “It’s just getting Mary back now and we should be fine,” Anderson said. —

Anderson also commented on a variety of other topics: Anderson said the weather had been a mixture of wind, rain and sunshine: “We’ve had our 88-degree days and our 40-degree days.” On UMaine President Dale Lick’s appointment as president of Florida State University: “I hate to see him and Mrs. Lick go. They’re both staunch supporters of our program.

“It’s not very often you can say your president knows your team members by name. I know the women will miss him, and I will miss him. He’s been a boost to the program. He’s been very visible and very supportive.

“Both president and Mrs. Lick have been to our games,” she added, “and our teams never had that pleasure before. The women certainly enjoyed it and they looked forward to their coming.” On fan support in Florida: “The team has enjoyed wonderful parental support and support from people here,” Anderson said. “Kim Reed’s parents are here as are Nikki Lovell’s, Lisa Swain’s, Cindy Champney’s and Dorothy MacMichael’s father. We’ve had quite a cheering section.

“A number of people who are retirees, or who vacation here, are following us. They ask where we’re playing each day, and then show up. (Equipment manager) Muriel Baker and her husband, John, have set up a cheering section in the stands and people are standing up and spelling out Maine. It’s been a lot of fun.”