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Kelly White has been the face of Bangor High softball for the past four years.
Whether as a pitcher or a shortstop – or both, as happened in Bangor’s 4-3 win over Brewer in an Eastern Maine Class A preliminary game last week – White has become one of the top players in the state. She was the PVC Class A Player of the Year last year.
Later this year White will take her skills to the next level as she tries to make the University of Maine softball team as a walk-on.
White has her work cut out for her.
“I just got the summer conditioning schedule. It’s like that fat,” White said, holding her index finger and thumb a little less than an inch apart.
It’s not just the preseason workouts. The Black Bears are bringing in 10 other freshmen, including two shortstops and outfielder Alexis Souhlaris, who was recently named the 2006 New Hampshire Gatorade Player of the Year.
Maine graduated just one regular infielder – all-conference shortstop Brittany Cheney.
“I’m definitely going to have to work hard,” White said. “Nothing’s going to be given to me.”
White has plenty of endorsers on the Bangor squad.
“She’s an amazing shortstop and a leader on this team,” sophomore third baseman Amy Hackett. “Without her, I don’t know what we’d do.”
Playing at the Division I level in college has been White’s lifelong dream. It would mean even more for her to play for the Black Bears.
“Obviously I’m a Maine girl so it would be great to play for my state,” White said. “I know some of the girls on the team and they’re awesome. Coach Sullivan obviously knows what she’s doing. They had an amazing season. I’m thrilled to be able to play with them next season.”
The Black Bears went 35-19 last year and won the America East regular-season title.
Regardless of what happens in the No. 12 Rams’ Eastern Maine Class A quarterfinal against No. 2 Brunswick this afternoon, White is likely to be happy with how her high school career ended.
Even though White started out as a pitcher, she became Bangor’s full-time shortstop during the 2005 season.
She made a few scattered pitching appearances during this past regular season, picking up a save along the way. She got another Tuesday night in an EM Class A preliminary game when she pitched a scoreless seventh inning against rival Brewer, preserving the Rams’ first victory over the Witches in White’s four years on the varsity team.
“It meant a lot to me to be able to finish it off,” she said.
Central players invited to Hawaii
Two Central of Corinth softball players have been invited to play in the Tourney Sport USA Softball Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii, next winter.
Catcher Chantel Randall and third baseman Kara Voisine were both chosen to play in the tournament, which will be held from Dec. 28 to Jan. 5 at the Central Oahu Regional Park Complex.
Between 1,800 and 2,200 softball players in grades 11 and 12 are nominated for the tournament every year by high school softball coaches around the country. The first 200-215 athletes who register are accepted.
Each athlete is placed on a team based on their position and statistics. Each team plays 8-10 games, all officiated by high school or college umpires. The first three days of the tournament are pool play, followed by a medal round.
Last winter Bucksport pitcher Terren Hall and Brewer pitcher Jordan McLain attended the tournament. The year before, Bangor’s White went to Hawaii.
Randall and Voisine will have a benefit yard sale on Saturday, June 24, during Corinth’s Old Home Days, at the town field.
Donations can also be sent to Chantel Randall, 92 Middle Road, Bradford, Maine, 04410, and Kara Voisine, 282 Beans Mill Road, Corinth, Maine, 04427. Checks should be made out to Tourney Sport USA.
Eagles seeking girls hoops coach
Messalonskee of Oakland is currently accepting applications for its varsity girls basketball head coaching position after Brian Laramee left to take the same post at Lewiston High.
Laramee, who coached the Eagles for just one season, lives in Lewiston and works as a science teacher in Gardiner, Messalonskee athletic director Brett Hoogterp said.
“This will cut down on his miles,” he said.
The school will take as long as it needs to find a new coach, Hoogterp added. There’s no rush because one of the assistant coaches will skipper the team through its summer schedule.
Laramee took over last summer for longtime coach John Donato. At the time, Donato said he left after a disagreement with Messalonskee administrators over low numbers in the program.
The Eagles will have most of their starters back next season, including standout twin sisters Chelsea and Amanda Barker.
They went 14-6 in Eastern Maine Class A last season, which will likely make the job attractive.
“We’re looking for someone who can continue to build the program,” Hoogterp said.
Messalonskee earned the No. 5 ranking for the Eastern Maine Class A basketball tournament and was knocked out in the quarterfinals by No. 4 Bangor 65-32.
Jessica Bloch can be reached at 990-8193, 1-800-310-8600 or jbloch@bangordailynews.net.
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