Kolasinski sings praises of Braves’ infield play UM softball’s Merchant getting back in stride

They have brothers at shortstop and first, a converted shortstop at third, and a second baseman whose nickname is “Shorty.”

The Husson College infield has been the pitching staff’s best friend this season as it has turned 14 double plays in 20 games and the four starters have committed only 16 errors.

Freshman Jason Harvey of Bucksport is the shortstop and sophomore brother Craig plays first; junior Josh Ferguson of Saint John, New Brunswick, is playing third after being a shortstop the first two seasons, and Corinna’s Shawn “Shorty” Henderson is the sophomore second baseman.

“This could be the best defensive infield I’ve ever had,” said 15th-year Husson coach John Kolasinski.

Ferguson, according to Kolasinski, “does very well on slow rollers. He doesn’t have an outstanding arm, but he has an accurate arm. He gets to the ball quicker than most third basemen because he had been a shortstop his whole life.”

Kolasinski said Jason Harvey has “very good range” and exceptional baseball sense.

“He always seems to be going to the right place at the right time. And he has a very accurate throwing arm,” he added.

Henderson, said Kolasinski, has “very soft hands. He doesn’t have great range, but if he can get to the ball, he’ll make the play. And he hangs in there when he’s turning two.”

Craig Harvey, according to Kolasinski, is “better than any first baseman we’ve ever had at picking the ball out of the dirt. He gives the other infielders more confidence.”

Kolasinski said he has had other top-notch infields, including one with the Brewer High tandem of Don Sawyer at shortstop and Aaron Largay at second.

“But we were always looking for a third baseman. Josh has been a steadying influence at third,” said Kolasinski.

The Husson coach is quick to point out that “playing on the carpet [FieldTurf] helps a lot, too. Knowing you’re going to get a natural hop breeds confidence.”

“Our infield is unbelievable,” said sophomore right fielder Billy Kane.

Merchant rounding into form

After dealing with some early season stomach problems, University of Maine pitcher Jenna Merchant is coming on strong.

Merchant threw 22 innings in a four-game series sweep of Stony Brook over the weekend and emerged with two wins and a save. The sophomore righthander is now 7-6 with a 2.36 ERA, seventh in America East. Her 91 strikeouts lead the conference.

Merchant is second in America East in innings pitched (103) and has 13 complete games in 13 starts.

“It’s a lot easier to play well when you feel good,” Merchant said after Sunday’s doubleheader. “… I usually can go forever. It’s just something I’ve always been able to do.”

UMaine coach Deb Smith can see Merchant is regaining the form that led to a 17-11 record and 1.49 ERA last season.

“Early on she was struggling, but now she’s starting to get her movement and her control back,” Smith said. “We figured it was just a matter of time, but now’s a good time for her to have it happen, moving into conference [play]. She’s throwing well.”

Freshman Sarah Bennis of Pownal also earned two wins this weekend. She is 7-5 with a 3.20 ERA.

Both Merchant and Smith were pleased with how the defense handled Stony Brook’s hitters. Stephanie DiBiase, who leads off for the Seawolves and had a league-best .413 batting average entering the weekend, had only three hits in the four games.

“[Catchers Lindsay Tibbetts and Amanda Stevens] did such a nice job keeping the batters off-balance,” Smith said. “They mixed in the changeups and absolutely kept their best hitters off-balance. They kept them on their heels.”