Steady and versatile. Those are two of the qualities which helped Hampden Academy senior Shellie Arbuckle earn recognition as the Oustanding Player in the Penobscot Valley Conference Class A softball ranks this spring.

Arbuckle heads the list of nine players selected as PVC All-Stars by a vote of league coaches. Old Town and Bangor placed three players each on the team. Karen Ackley, Heather Brewer and Julie Fadrigon represent the Indians. Charlotte Cyr, Michelle Puls and Dawn Libby were the Rams’ picks.

The squad also includes Brewer’s Tammy McLaughlin and Susan Thompson of Hampden Academy. Old Town freshman Erika Nadeau was chosen the Rookie of the Year, while Old Town’s Bob Ackley and Mike Corneil of Hampden Academy were named co-Coaches of the Year.

Arbuckle earned Outstanding Player accolades for her well-rounded efforts for the Broncos. She split time between shortstop and pitcher while leading Hampden into the quarterfinals.

A captain for Hampden, Arbuckle improved her batting in ’92, hitting .414 with 24 hits, scored 24 runs and knocked in 16 runs. She led the team in doubles and triples (three each) and walked 13 times.

“She batted around .200 for three years and came into her own this year,” Corneil said. “She always batted for power, but this year she hit for average and run production, too.”

On the mound, Arbuckle combined a 5-2 record. She was not overpowering, but threw strikes.

“I felt she was very consistent offensively and defensively,” Corneil said.

Old Town’s Ackley was a dominant pitcher despite playing with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee. The senior righthander was 12-1 with a 2.18 earned run average and 59 strikeouts.

“I think she’s a very smart pitcher,” Coach Ackley said. “I think that’s the big thing. She throws a variety of pitches and keeps the hitters off-balance.”

Puls, Bangor’s super sophomore, continued her tremendous play. The Rams’ shortstop led the team with a .442 average and had 19 RBIs while providing excellent defense.

“She’s got great range, a real good glove,” said Bangor Coach Lisa Richards. “She anticipates well and she loves to rob players of base hits. She’s real gutsy.”

McLaughlin was a constant offensive threat and a defensive leader for Brewer at shortstop. The senior hit .390 and boasted a .545 on-base percentage.

“She was a good role model for the younger players,” said Brewer Coach Kelly Cookson. “She was consistent both offensively and defensively and was a hard worker.”

Bangor’s Libby pitched every inning for the Rams, exhibiting a good mix of speed and control. The senior captain, who pitched for four years, compiled an 11-5 record.

“I think she’s the best in the league at fielding her position,” Richards said. “She’s a small girl, but she throws hard. She’s got good power for her size.”

Old Town’s Brewer was a catalyst and team leader. The senior center fielder, a captain, batted .379, scoring 25 runs and stealing 10 bases.

“She’s always been a great fielder, but until this year, she hadn’t really hit to her potential,” Coach Ackley said. “She has the most functional speed of any kid I’ve ever had. She knows when to take the extra base.”

Cyr, Bangor’s senior center fielder, earned All-PTC honors for the third straight year. The two-year captain batted .304 with 13 RBIs and was a standout defensive player.

“She gets such a good jump on the ball and she’s got a good arm,” Richards said. “She could have played anywhere, but she just stabilized things out in center field.”

Fadrigon, Old Town’s senior right fielder, provided strong hitting and heads-up fielding. Batting cleanup, the lefthanded senior captain hit .309 with 15 RBIs and scored 14 times.

“She threw four people out at first base from right field,” Coach Ackley said. “She had three great years. Julie, Karen (Ackley) and Heather (Brewer) have been the mainstays for the whole team.”

Hampden’s Thompson came on strong with the bat in the second half of the season and was a dependable fielder. The junior first baseman hit .300 (.492 in the last eight games) and scored 19 runs.

“She very consistently hit the ball hard, but it seemed to be at people much of the time,” Corneil said. “She struck out for the firstyears this year.”