Freshmen providing early lift in Big East

High school coaches love senior leadership, but this year the Big East Conference Class A softball skippers have to be pleased with how their freshmen are performing.

For Bangor, players like Amy Hackett, Alex Fahey, and Amy Wadleigh have had an immediate impact. At Brewer, lone freshman starter Sarah Risser has already contributed, while Nokomis freshman pitcher Patrice Cianchette looked strong in a loss last week. And Hampden coach Rodney Wells’ roster is packed with freshmen.

While Hackett and Fahey have shown their ability to hit and play in the field – Fahey has played both second base and catcher in the Rams’ two games as well as serving as a designated hitter – Wadleigh, a pitcher, showed a lot of fortitude when she had to step into Bangor’s game against Brewer Saturday.

Wadleigh entered the game in the first inning as junior Kelly White struggled early. The bases were loaded with one out when Wadleigh got a strikeout and induced a groundout to end the inning. She went on to give up four runs and six hits, but also struck out five and didn’t allow any walks in what turned out to be a 7-0 Brewer win.

“I’m real excited about her coming up,” Bangor coach Nancy Snowdeal said. “She’s obviously really talented and willing to step into a tough situation against a tough team and willing to step up and get the job done as a freshman.”

Brewer outfielder-catcher Risser had an RBI in the Witches’ 3-1 win over Hampden last week and also singled, walked and had a sacrifice bunt against Bangor.

Then there’s Hampden, which has seen some big numbers from its youngsters. Freshman utility player Amanda Palmer hit a solo home run for the Broncos’ only run in a 3-1 loss to Brewer, and also singled in the game. Freshman catcher Ashley Gott’s RBI double was the difference in a 4-3 win over Nokomis of Newport, while Michelle Wells hit a double and a single. Freshman Lacey Littlefield scattered six hits for the win.

Littlefield was tagged with the loss against Brewer, but allowed seven hits and three runs – not bad for her first outing against the hard-hitting Witches.

Nokomis of Newport coach John McLellan got a fine outing from freshman pitcher Patrice Cianchette. In a 3-0 loss to Bangor she gave up three runs in the first inning but held the Rams scoreless from there, allowing just two hits while walking one and striking out five in her five scoreless innings.

Old Town hasn’t yet experienced the freshman influence the other teams have received. Instead, the Indian seniors have been stellar so far. Senior Liz Bergeron fired a no-hitter with eight strikeouts and four walks in Old Town’s 7-2 season-opening win against Orono, while seniors Jen Higgins, Amy McFalls, Monica Hussey and Meghan McKay have powered the offense.

SAD 22 tables swim decision

The SAD 22 athletic committee will wait for more information and a recommendation from the Hampden Academy principal and athletic director before making a decision on the future of the school’s swim team.

The committee, which is chaired by Lew Aurelio, met Monday evening at the Reeds Brook School in Hampden to discuss whether the swim team should continue to swim with Brewer, which serves as a cooperative team, or become its own team.

Aurelio recommended that principal Ruey Yehle and AD David Shapiro discuss the issue, come up with a recommendation, and then make that to the athletic committee at a May 18 meeting before the SAD 22 board meets later that evening. Aurelio will then take that recommendation to the entire school committee for a vote.

The Broncos have two options. They can either continue to compete with Brewer – a one-year option afforded to them because of an appeal the Maine Principals Association granted last week – or form their own team for the 2005-06 season.

The proposed budget for the 2005-06 school year includes $16,825 for a swim team.

Although Hampden swimmers have expressed their interest in staying with Brewer for as long as possible, the athletic committee seemed to favor starting a school team.

“We’re leaning more towards breaking away and starting our own program,” Aurelio said. “We have to do it anyway because the MPA has said this is the last year we can swim with them.”

The MPA’s interscholastic athletic committee granted Hampden’s appeal last Wednesday.

“Really, it came down to me saying we need one more year to get together pool time, we need to be able to bring kids and parents together and say they’re willing to do fundraising,” Yehle said. “Very graciously [the MPA] changed their mind and they gave us one more year to get things together.”

If the Hampden swimmers end up with Brewer, Hampden will contribute some money towards the program. Yehle said the two athletic directors – Shapiro and Brewer’s Dennis Kiah – will work out what that sum will be. In years past Hampden has not given Brewer any money, although this year Hampden gave Brewer coach Kathy Cahill a “salary” of $1.

Yehle said this year Hampden also chipped in for meet officials.

Jessica Bloch can be reached at 990-8193, 1-800-310-8600 or jbloch@bangordailynews.net.