ORONO – A young but experienced University of Maine softball team will leave behind the snow and ice here for the relative warmth of North Carolina this week when the Black Bears open their season Friday against Ohio University at the Pirate Classic in Greenville, N.C.

The Bears (24-26 overall in 2007, 9-11 in America East) will also leave behind the events of last August, when a hazing incident in 2006 resulted in a late start to practice this winter, along with three years of probation for the program and the suspension of three players for at least two games apiece this season.

Practices began Monday, Jan. 21, about a week later than usual.

“We’re trying to look past it now and move on,” said junior infielder Courtney Gingrich, who will serve as one of three captains this spring along with junior Ashley Waters and sophomore Alexis Souhlaris. “Things happen for a reason. I think it’s made us stronger as a team. I know it’s made me stronger as a person, definitely. It’s in the past now.”

Gingrich and Waters, along with junior Jenna Balent, will all miss some games for their involvement in the incident.

Of greater concern to the Bears was missing out on the 2007 playoffs despite a 24-win season, the most ever for the program. But Maine reached that milestone with anywhere from five to eight freshmen in the lineup, and this year the Bears have no seniors and just three juniors.

“We were disappointed because we didn’t make the tournament, but there were some really big positives,” head coach Stacey Sullivan said. “The experience the freshmen gained last year brought them in [this year] extremely mature. They’re building upon their experiences from last year.”

In addition to their experience, the 2007 freshmen also had a lot of talent. Pitcher-outfielder Souhlaris was named to the America East Conference first team, and fellow sophomore Whitney Spangler, a catcher-infielder, was on the second team. Both Souhlaris and Spangler will shift positions as the Bears unveil a revamped infield.

Waters, a member of the 2006 conference all-rookie team, is moving from second base to shortstop, while Spangler will take her place at second. Stephanie George, who came off the bench last year, will be the primary catcher.

Freshmen Kirstin Allen takes over at first base and former Bucksport High School star Terren Hall will be the third baseman. Sophomores Kristen Calvetti and Melinda Corssino will also get playing time in the infield.

“We’ve got a lot of chemistry,” said Gingrich, who will also play first base. “We’ve gelled together since the fall.”

Souhlaris’ shift from everyday center fielder to pitcher has made for changes in the outfield, too.

Freshman Kali Burnham will start in center field when Souhlaris pitches. Sophomore Erin Iandoli will be a fixture in right, while left field will depend on who’s in center – Burnham, former Brewer High standout Jordan McLain of Orrington, and freshman Cassie Hodgson could all make appearances there.

For Souhlaris, who was named to the America East first team and all-rookie team as a freshman, making the move into the circle isn’t a big change. She was the 2006 Gatorade High School Player of the Year in New Hampshire as a pitcher.

“It’s been tough because I didn’t pitch for a whole year,” Souhlaris said. “I knew it was going to be a lot of work, but I really wanted to do it.”

She’ll join Balent (5.12 ERA, 9-11, 85 strikeouts) and sophomore Christine McGivney (3.68, 7-10, 68) in the rotation.

Souhlaris, Waters and Spangler are among the top returning offensive players. Souhlaris led the Bears with a .362 batting average and 30 stolen bases, which broke the single-season school record and led America East. Waters had team-highs in hits (56), doubles (10) and RBIs (29), while Spangler had a team-high three triples and Kristen Calvetti led the Bears with four home runs.

As for this weekend, the rest of the Pirate Invitational field will include Boston College and host East Carolina University. After the Bears return from North Carolina, they’ll jet off to Hawaii for a tournament. Conference play begins with a March 29-30 three-game set at Stony Brook.

As usual, Sullivan has scheduled a group of tough nonconference teams, including Western Michigan, Central Michigan, North Carolina State, South Florida, Penn State, Hawaii, Texas Tech, North Carolina, Texas, and Providence.

“Our schedule helps us get prepared for our conference and our goals,” Sullivan said. “We want to bring the [conference] tournament back to Maine. We’re really committed to taking America East by storm.”

jbloch@bangordailynews.net

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