Seniors help PVHS cruise to 7-0 start Howlers facing challenging schedule

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The Penobscot Valley softball team has a rough week ahead but the Howlers will more than likely deal with the pressure.

The senior-laden squad, which had one of the school’s best finishes in basketball this winter, is 7-0 after Monday’s 12-6 win over Piscataquis of Guilford. It was the first of five games for PVHS of Howland this week.

The Howlers will face defending Eastern Maine Class C champs Central of Corinth Tuesday and Saturday, with games against Schenck of East Millinocket and Orono in between.

“They’re handling it pretty well,” said head coach David Milton, who is in his third year at Penobscot Valley and works as an education technician at Howland Elementary School. “Their spirits are up. Everybody gets along and everybody is backing everyone else.”

Even if the Howlers happen to lose a game, the experience should be a good test, Milton added.

“It’ll be a good chance to see how well we can rebound,” he said.

Many teams across the state are dealing with tight schedules because of the wet weather that postponed games and set back fields that had been prepared for the spring season.

Things get a big easier for the Howlers, who have three games next week.

Milton said senior experience has been the key to Penobscot Valley’s success this year. The Howlers went 7-9 and failed to make the playoffs last season.

Penobscot Valley has a host of athletic seniors in important positions which has led to an improved defense. Senior Jamie Milton, David Milton’s daughter, has a 4-0 record as a pitcher. Catcher Kelsy Lavertu is a senior, as are first baseman Lexi Thurlow, second baseman Morgan Cyr and shortstop Mindy Dolley.

Lavertu, Thurlow, Cyr, Dolley and backup pitcher Casey McCloskey were among the top members of the school’s girls basketball team that started the season with an 8-0 record and advanced to the Eastern Maine Class C semifinals.

“I think it has something to do with it,” David Milton said. “It’s pretty much the same group.”

Jamie Milton, who is a utility player when not pitching, was a member of the basketball team but didn’t see as much playing time. She has been a rock in the circle for the softball team this year, however.

“She’s not overpowering,” David Milton said of his daughter, who plans to play softball at Husson College in Bangor next year. “But she has good control and she can put pitches where she wants.”

McCloskey, a sophomore who transferred from Mattanawcook of Lincoln, is 2-0 as a pitcher.

“Having Casey there has taken some of the pressure off [Jamie],” David Milton said.

Jamie Milton and Dolley, who transferred from Penquis of Milo last fall, are the Howlers’ top hitters.

“We’ve made great strides this year,” David Milton said.

McLain to play for Maine

Jordan McLain thought she had her college plans figured out.

But the Brewer softball ace pitcher learned recently that plans can sometimes change in a hurry.

Instead of attending the University of Southern Maine in Gorham, McLain has decided on the University of Maine in Orono, where she will be an invited walk-on for the NCAA Division I Black Bears and head coach Stacey Sullivan.

USM is a Division III program.

“I had all my stuff into USM, ready to go, when she offered me a position on the team,” McLain said. “So I took it. … I always wanted to play Division I. I knew I could do it but I wasn’t sure how it could come about. It just happened.”

And it happened quickly the afternoon of April 17 in Orono.

The Witches were scrimmaging Bucksport inside n UMaine’s Mahaney Dome, an indoor facility on campus, when Sullivan entered the dome and watched the game.

Most of the softball players assumed Sullivan was there to watch Bucksport standout Terren Hall, who will play for the Black Bears next year. But Sullivan was actually there to talk to McLain.

“It was funny because everyone thought she was there to watch Terren,” said McLain, who has also played right field in her high school career. “She asked what my plans were for next year … and we talked about my strengths and weaknesses. She thought I could help the team next year.”

The Black Bears have a young group of pitchers and McLain is hoping to get a shot in the circle.

“Probably I’ll get a couple of innings,” she said.

McLain is eager to play with Golden Bucks pitcher-infielder Hall next year.

“It’ll be fun, because Terren and I have played together on summer teams but never in a real season,” McLain said. “It’ll be good to have another freshman who knows me and who I can relate to.”

Winslow infielder Brynne Davis is also set to join the UMaine team as a walk-on. Former Bangor High standout Kelly White was on the Maine roster this spring.

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