Cassie switch helps UM achieve best start ever> Youthful Bears demonstrate penchant for power

University of Maine senior Jill Cassie has been a leadoff batter her whole career, but was moved from second base to the outfield when she became a Black Bear. Now, batting first and taking over second, it’s as though Cassie has come home.

Cassie, who carried a .205 batting average last year, hit .365 on Maine’s Florida trip. In the Bears’ first game, she hit the first home run of her career. She says it’s all about confidence and comfort.

“I’m more secure in my position. I was scared in the outfield. When I’m having fun in the infield, I have fun at bat,” Cassie said.

But there’s more to Cassie’s improvement than peace of mind. Namely, the excitement derived from a successful team.

Maine went 15-7 in Florida, batting .337, the best start in the program’s 21-year history.

And the fast start is no fluke.

Against the 12 teams Maine faced last year, the Bears improved from a 4-8 mark to 9-3.

The Bears have veteran pitchers, sound defense and an explosive offense. In half the games it won, Maine drove in most of its runs in the first three innings. It outscored its opponents 108-61.

Maine not only scored early and often – it scored with power, breaking the team record for home runs in a season (10) with 19.

Junior catcher Sara Jewett hit her fifth homer on March 10 to break the school single-season record of four she shared with Ethel Macklin (who set it in 1979) and assistant coach Deb Smith (who tied it in 1994). Jewett extended her school career record to 13.

On March 12, freshman Leigh Ann Hlywak turned the feat into a contest, roping her sixth homer to take possession of the record.

Meanwhile, freshman Erica Sobel became a veritable Sammy Sosa, jumping in the home run race with four down south.

Hlywak wasn’t surprised.

“We did a lot of work to get ready. I’m happy we produced,” Hlywak said. “The drive is contagious. You can’t find one person who doesn’t want to work hard.”

The difference this year is Maine is packed with young talent. Eight of the 18 Bears are freshmen. In most games, half of the lineup is made up of rookies.

Third baseman Hlywak, who is hitting .443, shortstop Sobel (.338), and center fielder Kate McKay (.281) of Oakland are all regular starters. Other freshmen seeing time are outfielder Melissa Mather (.240), catcher Rachel Bain (.286) and Katie Churchill (.417), who sees time at second.

UMaine coach Janet Anderson expected the freshmen’s quick adjustment.

“This freshman class is very, very, very skilled. They all come out of great high schools and summer programs,” Anderson said. “With this returning class, plus the freshmen, this team is going to set bench marks.”

Maine’s upperclassmen have led the way – or maybe answered the call – with Jewett hitting .404 in all 22 games, sophomore outfielder Katie Fraser batting .405, and first baseman Karyn McMullin carrying a .333 average.

What has helped Maine’s fast start is a defense grounded by seasoned pitchers.

Sophomore Carrie Green went 5-0 with a 2.20 ERA. Senior captain Jen Burton went 4-3 with a 3.76 ERA, while sophomore Alice Bishop went 4-1 and posted a 4.26 ERA.

The Bears’ one flaw is the consistency of its hitting. That is the area Anderson wants to see improve before conference play starts April 10 at Towson.

“Against Radford and the University of Pennsylvania, we had two good pitchers throwing rises, screwballs, drops, changes, the whole gamut,” Anderson said. “We weren’t laying off the rise ball. We have to control those things. In the conference, we’ll see that kind of pitching.”

Cassie said the real test will be this weekend in South Carolina when UMaine faces its toughest competition at a tournament where it has always done poorly. Cassie simply grins at the possibilities.

“We play Friday and Saturday and have never played on Sunday while I’ve been here,” Cassie said. “I think if we don’t play Sunday, I will be disappointed. Our team is all freshmen. They all have this killer mentality. I love that.”