ORONO – Erica Sobel realizes many people can’t understand her desire to play two Division I varsity sports – at the same time.

The junior from Worcester, Mass., enjoys a challenge.

Sobel is a two-time, All-America East shortstop and a captain for softball coach Deb Smith. Since November, she also has been a member of coach Sharon Versyp’s UMaine basketball team.

While juggling two workouts per day – sometimes back-to-back covering five hours – and an 18-credit academic load, the Journalism/Mass Communications (advertising) major has enjoyed the rigors of double duty.

“It’s a huge challenge,” Sobel said this week while taking a brief breather between practices for softball and basketball.

“Everybody’s been telling me I’m crazy because I’ve been basically practicing twice a day and going to class and doing everything else,” she said. “To hear them say that makes me want to do it even more, as long as I can.”

Sobel, who has played only spot minutes for the basketball team, will next week leave the Bears to fulfill her obligations to the softball squad, which opens its season Feb. 23 in Arkansas. She’ll be in uniform for the last time Sunday when UMaine takes on New Hampshire (1 p.m.) at Alfond Arena.

“She’s been a huge asset for us,” Versyp said. “We’re all very upset that she has to leave but now she’s getting into the bulk of softball and it’s time for her to do the right thing for her and for Deb Smith. Our girls just love her to death. She’s one of the most hardworking kids I’ve ever seen.”

In November, with only 10 healthy players on the roster, Versyp saw Sobel playing pickup ball in the field house. The 5-foot-7 guard was invited to try out for the team and, with Smith’s blessing, was added to the roster.

Sobel quickly demonstrated her talent and determination. Even knowing her role would likely be limited and that she’d have to leave the team prior to the end of the season, Sobel couldn’t resist the temptation.

“When I got out of high school I didn’t really think that I would be able to play basketball again and it was another opportunity,” said Sobel, who was the first 1,000-point scorer at Worcester Academy.

“My coaches know that basketball’s my first love and has been,” she said. “It just happened that I got a softball scholarship.”

The intensity and competitiveness of Division I practices were eye-openers for Sobel, who called her return to the court the hardest thing she’s ever done. Having spent precious little time on the bench during her athletic career, she approached her new role as a chance to obtain a fresh perspective.

“I think it’s been a really good thing for me to do is sit and watch and find other ways to help my team,” Sobel said.

Versyp said Sobel’s contributions can’t be measured in statistics, but have been invaluable.

“She’s committed, loyal and has a great attitude,” Versyp said. “Her presence is felt incredibly with everybody. She brings in a lot of game knowledge and technique and skill. She has complemented us so well.”

The chance to play basketball again has been only a small part of the satisfaction Sobel has reaped from her basketball experience. As she has learned from softball, it’s about the people.

“The most rewarding part for me is the friendships that I’ve made,” Sobel said. “I’ve made such good friends on the team that it’s going to be hard to leave them.”

When next Tuesday’s practice is over so, too, will be Sobel’s stint as a basketball player. With her departure, UMaine will be down to eight players, but Sobel knows softball is her top priority.

“Obviously, I would love to be with the team when they go to the [America East] tournament because they’re playing so well now and we’re just reaching our peak at the right time, but I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do,” Sobel said.

Still, she’ll be keeping a close eye on her adoptive team.

“I’m going to give them my hotel numbers and tell them to call me all the time,” Sobel said before hurrying off to basketball practice.