A year ago, the University of Maine softball team set its sights on qualifying for the America East tournament … then won just six of 26 league contests and missed out on the postseason.

This year, with a new-look league and a new philosophy, coach Deb Smith’s team returns to action with a similar – but more lofty – goal.

“We are shooting for the conference championship,” Smith said on Thursday, a day before her Black Bears kicked off the season against East Carolina University at Virginia Beach, Va.

“But we’re taking it step by step this year, looking at some smaller [intermediate] goals,” she said.

The reason for Smith’s optimism is obvious: Delaware, Towson, Drexel, and Hofstra are no longer in America East, and those teams accounted for 12 of the Bears’ 2001 losses. In addition, UMaine boasts a proven infield, a couple of eager young pitchers, and an improved outlook.

“We changed how we went about it this year [as a staff],” Smith said. “We sat down and really did some soul-searching, and found out what this team expected of itself.”

Armed with knowledge gleaned from research and seminars, Smith feels she and assistant Michelle Puls have prepared the Bears mentally for anything they might encounter during the season.

The Black Bears finished 12-41 overall in 2001.

One of the top reasons for Smith’s outlook is the return of senior infielders Erica Sobel, Leigh Ann Hlywak, and Katie Churchill.

Sobel, a shortstop, and Hlywak, a third baseman, are each three-time All-America East selections. Sobel hit .261 as a junior with three home runs and 12 runs batted in. She has smacked 13 homers in three seasons at Maine. Hlywak hit .255 with three homers and 19 RBIs, and has 11 career homers.

“Leigh Ann and Erica have been an anchor, as well as Churchill,” Smith said. “We’ve got some great leadership in the infield. I’m really impressed with how well they’ve responded since last year, and how well they’ve taken on that leadership role.”

Churchill is simply the glue that holds that infield together.

“She is just a wall,” Smith said of the woman who made just one error in 468 chances as a junior. “Katie has been our gold glove winner from a team perspective for two years.”

Churchill batted .167 last year with five RBIs in 114 at bats.

Rounding out the infield will be either sophomore Sara Asadoorian (.168, 6 RBIs as a freshman) or senior Karen Sherwood (.156, 6 RBIs). The duo will platoon at second base.

In the circle, the Bears have filled a gaping hole with two solid performers.

UMaine lost pitcher Carrie Green (graduation) and sophomore Ashley Yuhas (who left the team due to personal reasons). That pair accounted for 237 of the 356 2/3 innings a year ago.

Taking their place are sophomore Candace Jaegge and freshman Jenna Merchant.

Merchant, who played topnotch junior softball in Utah, throws a bit harder than Jaegge, according to Smith, while Jaegge relies a bit more on control.

“Jenna is a legitimate power pitcher with good movement,” Smith said. “She throws 62, 63 [mph], and has a variety of pitches. She has played gold-level ball in the summer, the highest level of U-18 softball, and has been to nationals. She has faced the top teams and done very well against them.”

Jaegge went 4-13 as a freshman with a 2.49 earned run average and 55 strikeouts in 112 2/3 innings.

Sophomore Nicole Taylor will also see some action in the circle.

The pitching staff will throw to senior catcher Rachel Bain, who hit .165 a year ago.

“She’s a great veteran behind the plate and has taken on our freshmen as kind of a project,” Smith said.

In the outfield, the Bears will likely start Aliesha Rautenberg in right, Jess Brady in center, and Melissa Mather in left. Projected starter Lauren Dulkis (CF) will likely miss the entire season with a knee injury.

Brady, a freshman who played Class D softball at Forest Hills High in Jackman, gets the nod for Dulkis because of her speed, Smith said.

Sophomore Shannon Sirois of Millinocket will also see outfield action.